在刑事法庭上由12位陪审团团员组成，但是人们并不想当陪审团团员，所以聪明的人都想方设法不被选到陪审团里。这里是一组值得骄傲的有智慧的陪审团。

一位被告在谋杀案里受到审讯。虽然有一个强烈的证据证明这个被告确实是个杀人犯，但是却没有找到死体。在被告律师的最终陈述中，虽然他知道他所辩护的被告很有可能被判有罪，他还是想要用一个计策来取胜。

于是辩护律师就站起来宣布，“陪审团的女士们和先生们，你们将惊讶地发现，”他看了看他的錶，继续说，“我们案件中那位所谓被谋杀了的人，将在一分钟之内走进这个法庭！”于是他的目光就盯着法庭的入口。整个陪审团也感到惊讶，也急切的盯着法庭入口的门。

一分钟过去了，什么人也没有进来。

那辩护律师说，“我刚才说那个被谋杀了的人会走进来，实际上是我编造的。但是你们都期待着他的到来，这就说明在你们的心里，你们还是觉得他是活着的。从你们的心里，你们并不认为在这个案件中任何人被谋杀。我提请你们做出一个“无罪”的结论。

被他这么一破解，陪审团员们真的感到有点糊涂了。于是他们就进了陪审团的房间讨论他们最终的决定。

几分钟以后，陪审团回到了法庭，宣布被告有罪。

“这怎么可能？”辩护律师问道。“你们不都是期待着那个人来到法庭的吗？我亲眼目睹你们都盯着法庭的大门的啊！”

陪审团团长回答说，“是的，我们都期待他走进来，但是被告没有看那门，他并不期待被他所杀的人会走进来。”

讨论问题：

• 1. 你是否参观过刑事法庭？请告诉你的观感。

  2. 你是否知道美国的陪审团制度？在你的国家里是否也有类似的制度？

  3. 这个陪审团是怎样确认这位嫌疑犯是有罪的？

  4. 在这篇文章里，你觉得那些地方是你感到特殊的？

      In a criminal justice system based on 12 individuals not smart enough to get out of jury duty, here is a jury to be proud of!

     A defendant was on trial for murder.  There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse.  In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick.

     "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all," the lawyer said as he looked at his watch.  "Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom." He looked toward the courtroom door.  The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly.

     A minute passed.  Nothing happened.

     Finally, the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous statement.  But you all looked on with anticipation. I, therefore, put it to you that you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and I insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."

     The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate.

     A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty.

     "But how?" inquired the lawyer.  "You must have had some doubt, I saw all of you stare at the door."

     The jury foreman replied, "Yes, we did look, but your client didn't."

Discussion Question:

• 1. Have you ever visited a criminal court? If so, tell us about it.

  2. What is a jury system in USA? Do you have similar system in your country?

  3. How did the jury determine the suspect is guilty?

  4. What are the interesting points did you learn from this article?