Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshGirls Josh
There is no excuse for him not to testify if he was the good guy & was just defending himself. His defense would be strongest if he testifies. & the state is accusing him of murder! how would he not want to testify? His life is on the line.
no excuse not to testify...the truth shall set you free! (or send you to jail  ) |
That would seem to make common sense. But every defense attorney tells their client NOT to take the witness stand.
It's not as simple as just taking the stand and giving a speech.
You're going to be cross examined by LAWYERS. And those guys are the trickiest SOB's in the world when it comes to twisting words and making you look bad.
I bet GZ himself would love to take the stand. But I'd bet the farm that his lawyers are saying "no".
Remember, they don't give you a chance to put things in context or extrapolate your answer in cross examination. The cross examination is purposefully intended to make you look like a liar. And if you have the defendant on the stand...that's red meat for those prosecuting attorneys.
In any trial, the prosecutors are just praying that the defendant will make the mistake of taking the stand.