Thanks to Pat & Sue for sharing this joke with us.
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 to you that you have a
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, "Oh, we looked, but your client didn't."
