Aussie logic

Deleted account DD · 13-05-2010, 16:44

In the Australian criminal justice system based on 12 individuals not smart enough
to get out of jury duty, here is a jury to be proud of!
A defendant was on trial for murder.
There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse.
In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client
would probably be convicted, resorted to 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 on 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 you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was
killed, and I
insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."

The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate.
A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of
guilty.
"But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt; I saw
all of you stare at the door."

The jury foreman replied: "Yes, we did look, but your client didn't."

13-05-2010, 16:44	#1
Deleted account DD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,705	Aussie logic In the Australian criminal justice system based on 12 individuals not smart enough to get out of jury duty, here is a jury to be proud of! A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to 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 on 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 you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed, and I insist that you return a verdict of not guilty." The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty. "But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt; I saw all of you stare at the door." The jury foreman replied: "Yes, we did look, but your client didn't."