| |
| Jokes
|
A defendant was on trial for murder in Oklahoma. 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 there is reasonable doubt in this case as
to whether anyone was killed, and 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, 'We looked, all right.
But your client didn't.'
|
|