Supposedly a true story but could be from the film, 'From the Hip'
The Scene:
A court room where a person is on trial for murder. There is
strong evidence indicating guilt; however, there is no corpse.
In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, figuring that
the jury will probably return a guilty verdict, resorts to a
clever trick.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all."
the lawyer says as he looks at his watch. "Within 1 minute, the
person presumed dead in this case will walk into this court room."
he says and he looks toward the courtroom door. The jury, somewhat
stunned, all look on eagerly. A minute passes. Nothing happens.
Finally the lawyer says: "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, flustered, retires to deliberate.
A few minutes later, they return and the foreman announces a
guilty verdict.
"But how?" inquires the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt;
I saw all of you stare at the door."
Answers the representative: "Oh, we did look. But the accused didn't."
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