Guilty
Scene: A court room in Oklahoma 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, knowing that his client is guilty
and that it looks like he'll probably be convicted, 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, clearly confused, retires to deliberate. A
very few minutes later, the jury returns and a representative pronounces a
verdict of guilty. "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 your client didn't."
