Mary Maloney Opening Statement Outline and Sample
Mary Maloney Trial Outline
Format: (For this assignment, you CAN use I, me, my, mine, etc. Remember, you’re supposed to be a lawyer speaking to 12 members of a jury.)
12pt. Times New Roman font
Full heading
Double spaced
· Intro
o Motivator- “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury” or something similar
o Thesis- what are you trying to prove?
o Blueprint- an outline of your argument see sample below)
· Body
o Topic sentence
o Piece of evidence #1
§ Explanation
o Piece of evidence #2
§ Explanation
o (keep going as needed)
· Conclusion
o Repeat/restate thesis
o Very briefly sum up evidence
o Write a closer or “clincher”
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SAMPLE ESSAY
Fakey McStudent
Mr. McLean
11/12/14
Period 1
A Crime of Passion
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Thank you so much for sacrificing your time in performing this vital civic duty. When crimes are committed, we depend on the police to catch the perpetrators and on you good people to sit in judgment upon them. The case in front of you today involves the killing of a policeman, a civil servant, just like you. Over the following weeks, I intend to prove to you that the accused, Mrs. Mary Maloney, is guilty of the murder of her husband, Officer Patrick Maloney. Based on the evidence, including the weapon used, the method of attack, and the lack of remorse she showed, it is clear that she is guilty of second degree murder.
Let us begin by discussing the deceased. Patrick Maloney did his duty for the good of the community, just like you are doing today, and at the end of the day on October 13th, he went home, worn out from a trying day upholding the law. Waiting for him at home was his faithful, loving wife. They had their troubles, true, but what couple doesn’t? However, Mary’s solution to their problems was not commonplace. When his back was turned, Mary crept up behind Officer Patrick Maloney and smashed his skull in. He had told her he was leaving her. Her response was to use a frozen leg of lamb she was preparing for dinner, around 20 inches long and weighing around six pounds to attack him when he was not expecting it. Given the difference in height between the two, it is clear Mary would have to reach up to hit the much taller Patrick in the head. Clearly her intent was to kill. However, since this attack was clearly a crime of passion, the state is charging her with second degree murder and asking you to deliver the punishment she deserves.
By examining the evidence presented, her guilt is clear. According to the coroner, the weapon she used caused injury similar to that of a blow from a heavy steel club. She hit him from behind at the base of his skull, giving him no warning and no chance to defend himself. Given that it is obvious her intent was to kill him in order to prevent him from leaving her, the state asks you to find her guilty. Thank you very much for your service.
Format: (For this assignment, you CAN use I, me, my, mine, etc. Remember, you’re supposed to be a lawyer speaking to 12 members of a jury.)
12pt. Times New Roman font
Full heading
Double spaced
· Intro
o Motivator- “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury” or something similar
o Thesis- what are you trying to prove?
o Blueprint- an outline of your argument see sample below)
· Body
o Topic sentence
o Piece of evidence #1
§ Explanation
o Piece of evidence #2
§ Explanation
o (keep going as needed)
· Conclusion
o Repeat/restate thesis
o Very briefly sum up evidence
o Write a closer or “clincher”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAMPLE ESSAY
Fakey McStudent
Mr. McLean
11/12/14
Period 1
A Crime of Passion
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Thank you so much for sacrificing your time in performing this vital civic duty. When crimes are committed, we depend on the police to catch the perpetrators and on you good people to sit in judgment upon them. The case in front of you today involves the killing of a policeman, a civil servant, just like you. Over the following weeks, I intend to prove to you that the accused, Mrs. Mary Maloney, is guilty of the murder of her husband, Officer Patrick Maloney. Based on the evidence, including the weapon used, the method of attack, and the lack of remorse she showed, it is clear that she is guilty of second degree murder.
Let us begin by discussing the deceased. Patrick Maloney did his duty for the good of the community, just like you are doing today, and at the end of the day on October 13th, he went home, worn out from a trying day upholding the law. Waiting for him at home was his faithful, loving wife. They had their troubles, true, but what couple doesn’t? However, Mary’s solution to their problems was not commonplace. When his back was turned, Mary crept up behind Officer Patrick Maloney and smashed his skull in. He had told her he was leaving her. Her response was to use a frozen leg of lamb she was preparing for dinner, around 20 inches long and weighing around six pounds to attack him when he was not expecting it. Given the difference in height between the two, it is clear Mary would have to reach up to hit the much taller Patrick in the head. Clearly her intent was to kill. However, since this attack was clearly a crime of passion, the state is charging her with second degree murder and asking you to deliver the punishment she deserves.
By examining the evidence presented, her guilt is clear. According to the coroner, the weapon she used caused injury similar to that of a blow from a heavy steel club. She hit him from behind at the base of his skull, giving him no warning and no chance to defend himself. Given that it is obvious her intent was to kill him in order to prevent him from leaving her, the state asks you to find her guilty. Thank you very much for your service.