PEOPLE v. BURGLE
THE CASE
The Citizen family, home from a fabulous vacation, arrive home late at night. However, they come home to
quite the welcome: a broken window and a living
room nearly clean of valuable possessions.
THE WINDOW
THE INVESTIGATION
Detective Kenneth Kopp is chosen to investigate this case. After investigation of
the Citizen home and the interrogation of Ms. Nadia Naybor, he finds evidence of
fingerprints and a suspicious-looking blue car, including the license plate information. He takes the
information to the criminal investigation unit. After
even further investigation, he finds a suspect: Ms.
Betty Burgle.
THE SUSPECT
THE LICENSE PLATE
THE ARRAIGNMENT
The arraignment takes place the morning after Betty
Burgle's arrest. Judge Joy Justice was present, along
with defense attorney Douglas Doubt. The charges are given – larceny and
burglary – and a date for the preliminary hearing: two weeks' time. Burgle is given a bail to pay. The bail is paid and Burgle promises to
return to court in two weeks.
JUDGE JOY JUSTICE
THE PRELIMINARY HEARING
The two weeks are up. Burgle has paid her bail and showed up in Court. After both sides presents their cases, Judge Justice decides that there is, in fact, enough evidence to try Ms. Burgle. The trial will take place in three
weeks.
THE TRIALOPENING STATEMENTS
The two weeks were up. Burgle had paid her bail and
showed up in Court. The court's clerk, Donny
Dockett, announced the case as People v. Burgle.
District Attorney's opening statement was as follows:
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what would you do if
someone stole all your worldly possessions?”
DA PAULINE PROOFE
THE TRIALPROSECUTING WITNESSES
The prosecuting side brings witnesses first. Among them are
Mr. Citizen, who has been issued a subpoena to appear in court, Officer Kopp, and Ms.
Nadia Naybor. All three testify to prove Miss Burgle guilty. These witnesses are first
questioned by the prosecuting attorney, and then are cross-examined by defensive attorney Douglas Doubt. All witnesses take an oath to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
MR. CITIZEN
OFFICER KENNETHKOPP
MS. NADIA NAYBOR
THE TRIALDEFENDING WITNESSES
Then comes the defensive side. The only witness the
defendant could find was herself: Betty Burgle. She testifies that at the time of the robbery, she was at home watching a popular game
show. To verify this information, when the local TV guide is checked, that particular show didn't air at that time. However, since there was no one to verify
the credibility of the facts, no further questions
were given.
DOUGLAS DOUBT
MISS BETTY BURGLE
THE TRIALCLOSING ARGUMENTS
DA Proofe again gives information, saying how
clear it was that Burgle was guilty while Atty. Doubt argues that the whole case was pure coincidence and that the evidence was
insufficient.
THE JURYTHE PROCESS OF BECOMING A JUROR
Pedro Peer, being the first juror asked, is the
foreperson, or spokesperson of the jury. He had been
issued a summons, and then went through the process of voir dire, in which the
possible jurors are questioned to ensure their
integrity. MR. PEDRO PEER
THE JURYTHE UNANIMOUS VERDICT
It is necessary to have a unanimous decision: guilty or innocent. Because there was no immediate unanimity, the jury had to continue to meet in private until it has reached the final decision. Peer gives the decision:
Miss Betty Burgle is guilty of robbery and larceny.
THE SENTENCE
After hearing the jury's decision, Judge Justice makes an appropriate
sentence. Burgle has been proved guilty of her charges and is sentenced to time in jail. The case is dismissed with the whack of the gavel.
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