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Court Trial Script for Murder Case

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views5 pages

Court Trial Script for Murder Case

Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Court Trial Script

Karla: Please rise. The Circuit Court of VAS is now in session, the Honorable
Judge Rhi and Judge Karla are presiding.

Rhi: Everyone but the jury may be seated. Judge Karla, please swear in the jury.

Karla (to the jury): Please raise your right hands. Do you promise that you will listen to
this case and render a true and fair verdict for this defendant?

Jury: “Yes” or “I Do”

Karla: You may be seated.

Rhi: Members of the jury, your duty today will be to determine whether the prosecution
prove that the suspects caused the wrongful death of Cinnamon Le Nguyen. You must
find a verdict based on a preponderance of the evidence, or the most convincing
evidence and facts presented. If you believe that the prosecution have shown more
evidence for their argument, you must side with them. If you believe that they did not
show enough evidence for their argument, you must side with the defense.
Judge Karla, please announce today’s case.

Karla: Your Honor, today’s case is the murder of Alex Tam Ngo

Rhi: Are the Lawyers ready?

Prosecution: (stand up) Yes, your Honor. Opening speech (be seated)

Rhi: Is Defense ready?

(Defense opening statement)

Prosecution's Case ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First Witness

Rhi: Thank you. Prosecution, you may call your first witness.

Prosecution: Thank you, your Honor. I call to the stand…


Rhi: Will the witness please stand to be sworn in.

(witness proceeds to witness chair then stands facing Karla)

Karla: (to the witness) Please raise your right hand. Do you promise to tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Witness: Yes / I Do. (sit down in witness chair)

Prosecution Direct Examination: Hello. Please state your name for the Court and read
out your witness statement. (asks questions)

Rhi: Defense may cross-examine the witness.

Rhi: Prosecution, do you have any re-direct questions?

Prosecution: No, Your Honor / Yes, Your Honor (if Yes, proceed with two quick follow
up
questions)

Rhi (to witness): You may step down. (witness return to audience seat).

(Repeat script for all witnesses)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Defense Case ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


First Defense Witness

Karla: Thank you. Defense, you may call your first witness.

Defense: Thank you, your Honor. I call to the stand…


.
Karla: Will the witness please stand to be sworn in by Rhi.

(witness proceeds to witness chair then stands facing Rhi)

Rhi: (to the witness) Please raise your right hand. Do you promise to tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Witness: Yes / I Do. (sit down in witness chair)


Defense Direct Examination: Hello. Please state your name for the Courtand read out
your witness statement. (asks questions)

Karla: Prosecution may cross-examine the witness.

Karla: Defense, do you have any re-direct questions?

Defense: No, Your Honor / Yes, Your Honor (if Yes, proceed with two quick follow up
questions)

Karla (to witness): You may step down. (witness return to audience seat).

(Repeat script for all witnesses)

Rhi: Prosecution, you may now present your case and evidence.

Rhi: Thank you. Defense, you may now present your case and evidence.

Rhi: detectives, do you have anything you would like to add?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Closing Arguments ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rhi: Both the prosecution and the defense have now rested their cases. The
lawyers will now present their final arguments. Prosecution, you may begin.

Prosecution: Thank you, your Honor. (closing speech)

Karla: Defense, you may proceed with your closing argument.

Defense: Thank you, your Honor. (closing speech)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jury Instructions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Rhi: Members of the jury, you have heard all of the testimony concerning this
case. It is now up to you to determine the facts. You and you alone are the judges of the
facts. Once you decide what facts the evidence proves, you must then apply the law.
The laws in question are VAS 30.020: Vietnam’s wrongful death statute. However, also
in
question are Constitutional Amendments 211-215, as well as the original Bill of Rights
(Amendments 1-10). In this case, you must determine which laws underpin the wrongful
death statute in order to know if the suspect committed a wrongful death act.
You must answer two questions:

1. Did the suspect violate the law against wrongful death?


2. Which Constitutional Amendment(s) must be used to underlie the Wrongful Death
law?

In just a moment, Ms Karla will take you to the jury room to deliberate and consider your
Verdict.

The first thing you should do is select a foreperson. The foreperson’s duty will be to sign
the verdict statement from the jury when you have agreed. Whatever verdict you render
must be unanimous. Ms Karla will now escort you to the deliberation room.

Karla: All rise. (stand up)


(Judge Exits. Karla leads jury out of courtroom to deliberation room)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jury Deliberation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Jury has a set amount of time to deliberate. They should focus on answering the two
questions the judge presented by referring to their Jury Checklists they completed
during
the trial.
They should vote and re-vote until they reach a unanimous verdict.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jury Returns ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


(Jury re-enters the courtroom, foreperson gives verdict to bailiff, jury sits down)

Karla: All Rise.

Rhi (enters): (to the jury) Have you reached a verdict?


(Karla hands verdict to judge)

Jury Foreperson: We have, your Honor.

Rhi: How have you decided?


Jury Foreperson: We the jury, in the case of Cinnamon Le Nguyen, find
_____________________ to be guilty and the prosecution/defense to be successful in their
case.

Karla: Thank you, jury, for your service today. Court is adjourned.

Common questions

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To ensure the jury reaches a unanimous verdict, the trial script delineates a structured deliberation process where jurors review evidence and law using their Jury Checklists. They are instructed to discuss and debate the case, continually voting until consensus is achieved. A foreperson is selected to facilitate discussion and sign the verdict once unanimity is reached, ensuring the process is orderly and thorough.

The structured courtroom dialogue reflects principles of fairness and justice by providing an orderly and balanced system where both parties—the prosecution and the defense—are allowed to present their cases fully, call witnesses, and submit evidence. Judges instruct the jury based on legal standards and ensure each side adheres to procedural rules. Jury instructions emphasize the need to base their verdict on convincing evidence and relevant laws, ensuring both legal and constitutional foundations are considered. This structure supports fairness by safeguarding legal rights and the integrity of judicial proceedings.

During their deliberation, the jury must answer two critical legal questions: 1) Did the suspect violate the law against wrongful death according to the wrongful death statute VAS 30.020? 2) Which Constitutional Amendment(s) should underpin the Wrongful Death law? These questions require the jury to integrate statutory interpretations and constitutional considerations into their decision-making process for a verdict in the case.

The rights of the defendants are protected during the trial by ensuring a fair process where both prosecution and defense are given equal opportunity to present their cases, call witnesses, and cross-examine opposing witnesses. This includes the jury's duty to decide based on a preponderance of the evidence and adherence to constitutional amendments that underpin the wrongful death statute, which is considered in their deliberation process.

The judges, Judge Rhi and Judge Karla, facilitate the trial process by overseeing courtroom procedures, swearing in witnesses and the jury, instructing the jury on their duties and the legal framework, and ensuring that each side is heard fairly. They guide the presentation order of the prosecution and defense, oversee the examination and cross-examination of witnesses, and manage the courtroom to maintain order and adherence to legal standards. This structure assists in reaching a fair and lawful conclusion.

The legal principle of a unanimous verdict ensures collective consensus among jurors, reflecting a comprehensive and fair agreement on the defendant's guilt or innocence based solely on the evidence provided. This requirement underscores the importance of deliberative democracy in the judicial process, reducing biases, ensuring thorough evaluation of facts, and reinforcing public confidence in the fairness and integrity of judicial outcomes. It emphasizes due process and the presumption of innocence until proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Evidence in the trial is presented first by the prosecution, followed by the defense. Each side is allowed to call witnesses, who are sworn in and provide testimony. The opposing side is then permitted to cross-examine these witnesses, challenging their statements and credibility. If needed, the originating side can redirect to clarify or reinforce their position. The presentation and challenge process ensures rigorous scrutiny of evidence, aligning with judicial principles of fair and thorough examination.

The primary role of the jury in the court trial is to determine whether the prosecution has proven that the suspects caused the wrongful death of Cinnamon Le Nguyen by considering the most convincing evidence and facts presented, based on a preponderance of the evidence, as described by Judge Rhi. The decision-making process involves listening to all testimonies, evaluating the evidence in light of specific laws, and answering key legal questions (did the suspect violate the wrongful death law and which Constitutional Amendments support this law). Jurors are instructed by the judges, deliberate based on completed Jury Checklists, and must render a unanimous verdict.

Closing arguments differ from other trial stages as they offer each side an opportunity to synthesize and summarize their case for the jury, addressing inconsistencies and reinforcing key evidence and keywords. This stage allows lawyers to directly speak to the jury without questioning witnesses, aiming to persuade jurors before they deliberate. This is significant because it provides a final impression and clarifies complex legal issues or evidence before the jury reaches a decision.

The foreperson's role is critical in organizing and guiding the jury's deliberation process. This individual leads discussions, ensures that each juror's opinion is heard, and activities stay orderly and focused on reaching a unanimous verdict. They are responsible for facilitating votes and ultimately sign the unanimous verdict statement, reflecting collective consensus.

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