a doctor’s biggest responsibility is
to save life, although reducing
pain and the patient’s will may
also be important factors of
consideration when you make a
medical judgement.
Information Sheet A -- You are Attorney Rational (the prosecutor)
You represent the Director of Public Prosecutions in pressing charges against Doctor Kind.
Both you and the defendant’s counsel have agreed that the facts are true and will not be argued about in court. Therefore, you main job in court is to establish the following things:
(1) without Doctor Kind’s pill, Mary Poor would not have died, or in other words, Mary Poor died because of what Doctor Kind did; (2) Mary Poor’s wish to die was not clear enough; (3) nobody should be encouraged to kill themselves, even if they suffer mental or physical pain.
Court procedures: (the shaded parts are those which require you to speak) 1. You will give an opening statement to present your main arguments very briefly.
2. Then, the defendant’s counsel will give his / her opening statement.
3. You will ask the defendant questions to prove that he is guilty.
4. The defendant’s counsel will then ask the defendant questions to prove that he is innocent.
5. You will call your first witness, Mrs. Poor, and ask her questions to prove the defendant guilty.
6. The defendant’s counsel will ask the witness questions.
7. You will give a short summary of your arguments.
8. The defendant’s counsel will then give his / her summary.
9. The jury will leave the court to discuss the case and reach a verdict (i.e. decision).
(Try to come up with more arguments to include in the opening statement and summary.
Also prepare some questions to ask the defendant and the witness.)
Information Sheet B -- You are Doctor Kind (the defendant)
You have admitted helping Mary Poor to kill herself out of pity, but you feel what you did is right for the following reasons: (1) Mary Poor had expressed her wish to die very clearly; (2) if Mary had been able to move, she would have already killed herself even without help, and all you did was just give her back some control over her own life that normal people would have; (3) you were trying to respect Mary’s idea and preference.
Court procedures: (the shaded parts are those which require you to speak) 1. The prosecutor will give an opening statement to present his / her main arguments.
2. Then, your counsel will give his / her opening statement.
3. The prosecutor will then ask you questions.
4. Your counsel will then ask you questions to prove that you are innocent.
5. The prosecutor will call the first witness, Mrs. Poor, and ask her questions to prove the defendant guilty.
6. Your counsel will ask the witness questions.
7. The prosecutor will give a short summary of his / her arguments.
8. Your counsel will then give his / her summary.
Information Sheet C -- You are Attorney Smart (the defendant’s counsel) You represent Doctor Kind, the defendant, in court. The doctor has admitted helping Mary Poor to kill herself out of pity, but you have to argue that what he did is right for the following reasons: (1) Mary Poor had expressed her wish to die very clearly; (2) if Mary had been able to move, she would have already killed herself even without help, and all Doctor Kind did was just give her back some control over her own life that normal people would have; (3) if people are allowed to choose how they live, they should also be allowed to choose how they die, and this right should include patients who cannot move on their own.
Court procedures: (the shaded parts are those which require you to speak) 1. The prosecutor will give an opening statement to present his / her main arguments.
2. Then, you will give your opening statement to present your main arguments.
3. The prosecutor will then ask the defendant questions.
4. You will then ask the defendant questions to prove that he is innocent.
5. The prosecutor will call his / her first witness, Mrs Poor, and ask her questions.
6. You will then ask the witness questions.
7. The prosecutor will give a short summary of his / her arguments.
8. You will then repeat your arguments in your summary.
9. The jury will leave the court to discuss the case and reach a verdict (i.e. decision).
(Try to come up with more arguments to include in the opening statement and summary.
Also prepare some questions to ask the defendant and the witness.)
Information Sheet D -- You are Mrs Poor
You are very angry with Doctor Kind for giving Mary the pill and you think he had murdered your daughter. You have agreed to appear in court to help the prosecutor. The doctor has admitted helping Mary Poor to kill herself out of pity, but you have to show that: (1) Mary had lived a happy life and her wish to die was not clear; (2) Doctor Kind had no right to take away your daughter’s life; (3) doctors should save, but not kill.
Court procedures: (the shaded parts are those which require you to speak) 1. The prosecutor will give an opening statement to present his / her main arguments.
2. Then, the defendant’s counsel will give his / her opening statement.
3. The prosecutor will then ask the defendant questions.
4. The defendant’s counsel will then ask the defendant questions to prove that he is innocent.
5. The prosecutor will call his / her first witness, you, and ask you questions.
6. The defendant’s counsel will then ask you questions.
7. The prosecutor will give a short summary of his / her arguments.
8. The defendant’s counsel will then give his / her summary.
9. The jury will leave the court to discuss the case and reach a verdict (i.e. decision).
(Try to come up with more arguments to prove the defendant guilty.)
Information Sheet E – You are the Juror
You have been chosen to be in the jury of this murder case. You will listen to the prosecutor and the defendant’s counsel presenting the case and questioning the defendant and the witness. After the counsels have given their summaries, you will discuss whether you believe Doctor Kind is guilty of murder and reach a verdict (i.e. decision).
Court procedures: (the shaded part is where you will be required to speak) 1. The prosecutor will give an opening statement to present his / her main arguments.
2. Then, the defendant’s counsel will give his / her opening statement.
3. The prosecutor will then ask the defendant questions.
4. The defendant’s counsel will then ask the defendant questions to prove that he is innocent.
5. The prosecutor will call his / her first witness, Mrs Poor, and ask her questions.
6. The defendant’s counsel will then ask the witness questions.
7. The prosecutor will give a short summary of his / her arguments.
8. The defendant’s counsel will then give his / her summary.
9. You and the other jurors will discuss the case and reach a verdict (i.e. decision).
(You should take notes while listening.)