Question

A man is in court for killing his wife. In the closing statements the man’s lawyer surprises everyone when he announces “His wife was just missing. Everyone look at those doors. His wife is going to walk in those doors in about 30 seconds.” The entire court is silent and the jury stares at the door as the lawyer and the defendant stare at them. After a couple of minutes the lawyer says “See! If you were so sure he killed his wife, you wouldn’t be watching that door!”

The jury goes into deliberation and comes back almost immediately with a guilty verdict. Why did the jury convict him?

Answer 1

They might have thought the man and his lawyer were saucy, or think it is all a joke. But the lawyer made a good point. People might have been ashamed at being tricked, so they would have voted against him.

Answer 2

A jury convicts on the grounds of abundant and substantial evidence.