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 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 a verdict of 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!“
