You are going to write a report that justifies the conclusion that you come to in this case. In your report, you will outline the logical fallacies in each case, as well as the evidence that supports your decision. You must also address your own bias, based on the news report you saw last night. Explain if that news report affected the outcome of your decision and why or why not. Prosecuting Attorney’s Closing Summation

In the case of Lisa Becket v. Tony Espinoza, we have presented clear evidence that Lisa is guilty of the crime of larceny in the first degree. On the afternoon of May 13th, 2014, Ms. Beckett was present in a classroom with 23 other students at Haywire High School during 5th hour American Government. During the time of the alleged incident, my client, Tony Espinoza left the classroom to use the restroom. Per the teacher’s regulations, Mr. Espinoza left his cellphone on his desk as an indication that he was using the restroom. Upon return from the restroom, Tony’s cellphone was missing. Ms. Beckett sits adjacent to Mr. Espinoza and has stated in previous conversations with my client that she does not have a cell phone. On several occasions, she has also admired Mr. Espinoza’s cell phone and has asked for him to show her particular features. On the day of the crime, when Mr. Espinoza, returned from the restroom Ms. Becket would not make eye contact with Mr. Espinoza and Mr. Espinoza noted the outline of a rectangle in the front pouch of Ms. Becket’s backpack. When Mr. Espinoza asked Ms. Becket if she knew where his phone was, she turned red and said, “No”.
Clearly, Ms. Becket either stole my client’s phone or he is a liar. When the concern was brought to the teacher’s attention, Ms. Becket’s bag was not searched at the time. Later, when the school resource officer arrived, Ms. Becket’s bag was searched and no phone was found, but this was two hours after the crime. Ms. Becket could have easily removed the phone from her bag during that time. Even the principal stated that Ms. Becket has a tarnished record at the school, but he denied revealing the details of those concerns. The defense wants to paint my client as an unreliable character, but this is simply not the case. Mr. Espinoza is clearly the victim of this crime and if we do not convict Ms. Becket of this crime, then future thefts are bound to occur at Haywire High.

Defense Attorney’s Closing Summation

It is clear that Ms. Becket is innocent of this crime. On the afternoon of this alleged theft, Ms. Becket was working on her American Government assignment when Mr. Espinoza left the room to use the facilities. Ms. Becket had no idea that Mr. Espinoza left the premises due to her focus on her work at the time. There is no clear evidence that the phone was even left on Mr. Espinoza’s desk. Did he actually leave it there? No one is sure. Multiple witnesses have attested to the fact that Mr. Espinoza is known to forget many things and even the teacher has stated that he often leaves his water bottle or hat in class. Is it not possible that he left his phone in the restroom as well? Mr. Espinoza has been found to be an unreliable character. When asked on the witness stand if he forgets things often, he stated, “No, never” and yet his grade book illustrates many missing assignments. Were these assignments taken by Ms. Becket as well? It is clear that Mr. Espinoza cannot be trusted. As far as a rectangular shape noticed in Ms. Becket’s backpack, that has been stated to be her calculator and when measured, this calculator matches closely to the dimensions of Mr. Espinoza’s missing cell phone.
In no way has the prosecution reasonably evinced that Ms. Becket is a criminal in this case. Her mere presence in the classroom cannot make her guilty. For these reasons, the jury must find her innocent of this alleged crime.