opening statement of george milton guilty of first degree murder in of mice and men
In John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men," George Milton is not on trial for first-degree murder; however, if I were to craft a hypothetical opening statement for the prosecution framing George as guilty of first-degree murder, it might go something like this:
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we are here today to discuss a grave matter— the premeditated murder of Mr. Lennie Small, a crime which the evidence will show was committed by the accused, Mr. George Milton.
You will hear evidence that Mr. Milton, with calculated intent, ended the life of Mr. Small in cold blood. Despite whatever sympathy you may feel for the unique friendship these two men might have shared, we must not lose sight of the law and the sanctity of life. We will present witnesses who knew both the accused and the victim, and through their testimonies, it will become clear that Mr. Milton had, over time, developed a full understanding of Mr. Small's volatile behavior and his potential to cause harm— not out of malice, but due to his compromised mental capacity.
However, George Milton, fully aware of these circumstances, chose to take matters into his own hands. The death of Lennie Small was no accident nor a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was the result of deliberate planning and the willful execution of a dangerous man who had become a liability to Mr. Milton.
We intend to show that on the day of the incident, Mr. Milton made the choice to arm himself with a Luger pistol, lead Mr. Small to an isolated location, and end his life with a single gunshot. This act was not one of compassion, as the defense might argue, but one of first-degree murder — a calculated act meant to rid himself of the burden and danger posed by Mr. Small’s unpredictable behavior.
As you hear the evidence presented, keep in mind that regardless of the accused's personal feelings or the unique circumstances leading to the act, our justice system is built on the principle that taking another’s life with deliberation and premeditation is a crime punishable to the fullest extent of the law.
The question before you is not a philosophical one of whether Mr. Milton thought he was doing what was best for his friend or whether Mr. Small was better off in death than in life. The question you must answer is whether George Milton intentionally and with premeditation took the life of Lennie Small. The evidence will show that he did, and that he is guilty of first-degree murder.
It is your solemn duty to examine the facts, apply the law, and render a verdict that speaks to the truth of what happened on that tragic day. Thank you."
Please note that this statement is entirely fictional and for illustrative purposes only. In Steinbeck's novel, George's actions are intended to be a mercy killing to save Lennie from a worse fate at the hands of a mob. The story concludes without a legal trial for George's actions.