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Reasonable doubt
(let´s see if I can make it work in English...)
In a murder trial, the defense lawyer was seing strong evidence against his client but... the body of the victim had not been found.
So, in his closing he just knew he had to explore that and, using as much drama as he could, he said: " The proof that my client is innocent of what is being accused in this trial is that in 2 minutes, the person he allegedly murdered will walk through that door !" (pointing at the Courtroom door)
There´s a big "bruaahh" in the courtroom and everybody´s looking at the door for 2 long minutes...
After that, the lawyer continues: "See... everybody looked at the door. There is, to say the least, a reasonable doubt in every member of the jury as regards my client. When you have a reasonable doubt you CAN NOT say he is guilty"
The jury left and just a few minutes later, the verdict was ready to be pronounced.
The Spokesman just said: "Guilty as charged" !
The lawyer protested: "I am going to appeal ! How can you say that when everybody looked at the door ! There has to be, at least, a reasonable doubt !
The Spokesman answered, very assured of the decision he had announced: "We have no doubts at all, sir. Your client was the only one in the room that DIDN´T LOOK at the door..."
Moral of the story: some clients make lawyers´lifes really difficult..
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Regards,
Joao
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