CLOSING STATEMENT

HOOK “Innocent until proven guilty!”

HEADLINE This is a case about an innocent man who fell into a trap set in motion by his suicidal girlfriend.

INTRO One of the most fundamental rights afforded to the accused is that he is “innocent until proven guilty.” I ask you to think . . . did ANY of the prosecution’s witnesses prove John Diamond guilty? No. None of them saw John shoot Trudi. Witnesses heard gunshots and saw the gun on the floor. The witnesses never saw either party handle the gun.

HISTORY Let me remind you of Trudi Doyle’s extensive suicidal history. She had tried to kill herself twice before. John loved Trudi. He wanted to protect her. He wanted her to move to California with him. He was an upstanding civil servant. Does this sound like a man who would kill the love of his life in the middle of a diner? John had no reason and no motive to shoot his beloved girlfriend.

BURDEN Every witness had doubts. The State failed to show BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT that John is guilty! You cannot convict a man on mere suspicion—it violates the fundamental rights that this country is founded on.

WITNESS LIST The prosecution put on two witnesses. Both of them expressed doubts about the John’s participation in Trudy’s death.

- E.A. Benbrook: Sgt. Benbrook, for the State, explained how the gunpowder residue ended up on John’s hands. John tried to grab the gun away from Trudi. He put his hand over hers right when she pulled the trigger. This completely shielded her hand from the gunpowder.

- Beth Kelly: Testified that she didn’t see John kill Trudi. All she saw was the aftermath and made her own doubtful assumptions.

PRAYER If you have any reasonable doubts, you cannot convict John Diamond of murder.

HOOK Don’t let an innocent man pay for a suicidal woman’s actions. John Diamond is the real victim here.