Texas Defense Lawyer’s Argument Leads to Twist

He’s Alive!
A noted Texas defense lawyer was making his closing argument for his client accused of murder,
although the body of the victim had never been found. The lawyer dramatically turned to the courtroom’s
clock and, pointing to it, announced, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have some astounding news. I
have found the supposed victim of this murder to be alive! In just ten seconds, she will walk through the
door of this courtroom.”
A heavy quiet suddenly fell over the courtroom as everyone waited for the dramatic entry. But nothing
happened.
The smirking lawyer continued, “The mere fact that you were watching the door, expecting the victim to
walk into this courtroom, is clear proof that you have far more than even a reasonable doubt as to
whether a murder was actually committed.”
Tickled with the impact of his cleverness, the cocky lawyer confidently sat down to await acquittal.
The jury was instructed, filed out, and filed back in just ten minutes with a guilty verdict.
When the judge brought the proceedings to an end, the dismayed lawyer chased after the jury foreman:
“Guilty? How could you convict? You were all watching the door!”
“Well,” the foreman explained, “Most of us were watching the door. But one of us was watching the
defendant, and he wasn’t watching the door.”

Williams, McClure & Parmelee is dedicated to high quality legal representation of businesses and insurance companies in a variety of matters. We are experienced Texas civil litigation attorneys based in Fort Worth who know Texas courts and Texas law. For more information, please contact the law firm at 817-335-8800. The firm’s new office location is 5601 Bridge Street, Suite 300, Fort Worth, Texas 76112.