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 to you that you have a reasonable
doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and 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: "Oh, we did look, but your client
didn't."