[BITList] A jury to be proud of....

[Ronald Thomas]

 A jury to be proud of....

In a 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 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: "AH Yes, we did 
look, but your client didn't."



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