MockTrial

Well, this closing statement is about a case in which a teacher is being accused of assault. The context of this charge is that the teacher hit the student after touching a burning tong. It is stipulated on both sides that the tong was heated by the student, that the hit was made, and there is a severe injury where the teacher's hand made contact with the student. The part where people couldn't agree upon was whether that hit was intentional or a muscle reflex after having touched something hot.

Here is the closing statement for the defense.

Members of the jury, today’s case all comes down to a single word, a single question. And that question is: Really?

But before that, at the beginning of today’s court, you heard my cocouncel, Jiwon describe the burden that the prosecution bears. You would remember, that the prosecution today had the burden to prove beyond and to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt that Ms. Ali had intentionally hurt Kirwan Rohane. However, that burden was not met at today’s trial.

Now in order to meet their burden of proof, the prosecution had to give sufficient evidences and convincing testimonies to prove to you that Ali had intentionally attacked Kirwan.

Well, let’s look at the evidences that they have provided. Wait…there isn’t one! You would remember that not a single exhibit was entered today. The prosecution doesn’t have a single evidence. Not a single picture, not a single psychological analysis, not a single proof whatsoever that proves Ali intentionally hurt Kirwan. No. Nothing but only the words of two teenage girls.

 The prosecution’s entire case was built on what Kirwan and Chris said. So here comes the question. Really? Are they credible witnesses? Well, in today’s court, defense showed you that those two girls lied.

You would remember that the witness from the prosecution side, Kirwan and Chris, had a strikingly contrasting opinion about what happened on June 1^st. First of all, the issue of who heated up those tongs that hurt Ali Arthurs. You would all remember Kirwan Rohane testifying that it was Chris who heated up the tong. Only, right afterward, Chris came up to the stand and told you that it wasn’t her, but Kirwan that heated up those tongs. Really?

Second the issue of being scolded by Mrs. Arthurs. Again, the two witnesses of the prosecution side had a very contrasting opinion. You would remember that Kirwan testified that she had never been scolded by Mrs. Arthurs. Only, right afterward, Chris came up to the stand and told you, that she had been always scolded by Mrs. Arthurs to grow up and behave. So again, really?

Third, the issue of disliking Mrs. Arthurs. Once again, the two witnesses of the prosecuton side had a very contrasting opinion. You would remember that Kirwan testifying that she has no reason to make up a story about Mrs. Arthurs because she didn’t really scold her. Only, again, right afterwards, Chris came up to the stand and admitted, that both Kirwan and her openly hated Mrs. Arthurs.Yes ladies and gentleman, and that’s what she said. So once again. Really?

Well, obviously, somebody is lying here. And it is solely based on that lie that the prosecution is trying to prosecute Ali Arthurs. It is based on that lie that the prosecution is trying to take away Ali’s job, her way of life. It is based on that lie that the prosecution is trying to take away her liberty. Simply outrageous.

You heard Ali Arthurs today. You heard her tell you from heart, how she would never have intentionally hurt Kirwan. How it was her muscle reflexes, not her intention that caused the accident. You also heard from Sam Saunders today. Remember how Ali waved her hands in the air after there was the accident. People don’t wave hands after having intentionally hitting someone. No, the reason Ali waved her hands in the air was because she was in pain. She waved her hands in the air because it was all an accident. Not a deliberate hit.

             Today, Ali is being tried of a crime that she did not commit. An assault. A charge that could forever restrain this young women’s future.

Members of the jury, you are the only one with the power to set things right. You are the only one that could stop the prosecution from destroying this person’s future.

We the defense ask you to ask yourself that question. Really?

Really, did Ali intentionally hit Kirwan.

Really, did prosecution prove anything in this court today?

Really?

Not Really.