A defendant was on trial for murder.
There was very strong evidence indicating guilt,
but no corpse had been found.
In the defense's closing statement the lawyer,
knowing that his client would probably be convicted,
decided to try a trick.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,"
the lawyer said as he looked at his watch: "
Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case
will walk into this courtroom!"
He looked toward the courtroom door.
The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked eagerly.
A minute passed.
Nothing happened.
Finally, the lawyer said:
"Actually, I made up the previous statement.
But you all looked on with anticipation.
I therefore put it to you that there is reasonable doubt
in this case as to whether or not anyone was killed
and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."
With that, the jury retired to deliberate.
But after only a few minutes,
they came back and pronounced their verdict: guilty.
"But how?" the lawyer asked:
"You must have had some doubt.
I saw all of you stare at the door."
"Oh, yes," the jury foreman replied:
"We all looked - but your client didn't!"
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1 comment:
This is actually a true story.
It came from the trial of Landru, a french serial killer in the 20s.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9_Landru#Le_proc.C3.A8s
"His lawyer Me Moro Giafferi defends him with talent. A memorable scene took place during its plea, where he asserted that victims had been found and were going to come to appear in front of the Criminal court. The public and the members of the jury turned the head to the door which the "hotshot lawyer" had then appointed, and having let smooth the suspense, underlined the fact that all those who had turned the head to the exit had so demonstrated their lack of conviction concerning the reality of the murders imputed to his customer, bringing to light the absence of formal proofs against Landru, for lack of found corpse. The prosecuting attorney retorted from the tap to the tap that Landru, him, had not turned the head to the door"
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