NCJ Number
77659
Date Published
1967
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Part of a series of training demonstrations by practicing trial lawyers and law enforcement officers in a criminal prosecution, this film shows the summation of evidence in the closing phases of a case involving a robbery/murder.
Abstract
Following a motion for a directed verdict of not guilty based on accidental homicide, the defense attorney explains the purpose of a summation of evidence, the meaning of the concept of reasonable doubt, the roles of the defense counsel and expert witnesses, and the fact that the verdict is final. In addition, the defense attorney contends that the defendant, who is charged with robbery and murder at the Big Ten Party Store and Beverage House at Ann Arbor, Mich., could not have anticipated that gagging the proprietor would result in death. The prosecuting attorney emphasizes the brutality of the crime and asks the jury to return a verdict of murder in the first degree. Following the judge's instructions to the jury concerning the presumption of innocence on the part of the accused, the meaning of the concept of reasonable doubt, and the necessity of a unanimous verdict, the jury returns the verdict that the defendant is guilty of robbery and murder in the second degree. The judge sets the date for sentencing, and the defense attorney makes a motion to challenge the second-degree murder verdict on the grounds that the evidence supported a verdict of accidental homicide. For other films in this series, see NCJ 77644-58.