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❝ Monologues · 24 lines · C1

My lord, members of the jury,

Sir Wilfrid's address to the jury · Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

My lord, members of the jury,

Line 1 of 24

the prosecution has very ably presented against the prisoner, Leonard Vole,

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1My lord, members of the jury,
2the prosecution has very ably presented against the prisoner , Leonard Vole,
3a case with the most overwhelming circumstantial evidence .
4Among the witnesses
5you have heard Chief Inspector Hearne, who has given his testimony in a fair and impartial manner , as he always does.
6He has put before you a clever theory of how this crime was committed.
7Whether it is theory or actual fact, however, you will decide for yourselves .
8And then you have heard the evidence of Janet McKenzie,
9a worthy and devoted housekeeper who has suffered two most grievous losses .
10I will not comment further on her evidence,
11but will express only my deepest sympathy for her in both these... mishaps.
12And most damaging of all, the prosecution has produced a surprise witness, one Christine Helm,
13 whom the prisoner brought from the rubble of her homeland to the safety of this country,
14giving her his love and the protection of his name.
15I objected to her testimony because a wife cannot give evidence harmful to her husband .
16But it has been proven that her marriage to Mr Vole was fraudulent and bigamous .
17Therefore, her evidence must be admitted and you must consider it.
18For what it is worth.
19Such is the prosecution's case. Now it is the tum of the defence.
20We could present, on behalf of the prisoner,
21witnesses to his character, his war record , the lack of criminal or evil association in his past.
22However, only one witness can shed new light on this tragic riddle.
23The prisoner himself.
24Members of the jury, I call Leonard Stephen Vole.

Why it's worth practising

He concedes everything, then narrows the whole case to one witness and holds the room.

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circumstantial evidence decide for yourselves surprise witness give evidence for what it is worth shed new light on

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