For this one, you must convince the jury that it was you.
VERDICT (any gender, late twenties through late life)
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury: I didn't prepare this speech. There was another one but I've realized that it's a lie. I am here to make sure that the guilty party is convicted. My speech would have me attacking the defendant. That's what I thought was my job. I'm sure you thought so as well.
But the truth of the matter is that what happened in our town... it did not start with the defendant. In fact I think the defendant did the best he could under the circumstances. But what started it all was, I believe, the loss of an innocent life. Yes? The subsequent riots, the defendant's accidental slaying of his attackers in the whole mess... none of this would have happened if not for a hit and run.
I myself was convinced that the child was killed by a careless driver-- no... I was convinced that it was a hate group masquerading as a careless driver. And the hate group has been tried and convicted already. But I need to tell you all: The evidence points to a careless driver, it really does. And I... I was blacked out on the night of the hit and run. I woke up the next morning with a hangover and a feeling of fear but I didn't know where it came from.
Ladies and gentlemen, there's blood on my car. I ask you that we judge this case by going back to the start. I can't undo the past but I can clear it.
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"
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