Description
Read the case State v. Ransom (pp. 411-425). Consider your verdict. Prepare a document that expresses your deliberation that justifies your vote of guilty or not guilty. The goal is not simply a writing assignment but for you to show off your critical thinking skills. The case is designed to contain numerous types of illicit reasoning on both sides.
Guidelines:
- Use Judge Schwebel’s Summation and Charge to the Jury as a guide.
- You should include in your account all of the witnesses as well as the Defense attorney and District (State) attorney.
- Identify weaknesses within your own position (thus avoid the appearance giving a Strawman). For example, if you think the verdict should be guilty, identify weaknesses with your side.
- The trick, and this is important, is that you explain why the weaknesses of your position is not enough to consider a change in verdict (thus, you provide both sides – think Chapter 16.
- This project has a minimum word count of is a 1.500 words (i.e., 250 words equals 1 page double spaced). This does not count a title page.
- The more you can directly and conspicuously use terms, notions, ideas from the assigned chapters to support your reasoning the stronger your project. Failure to do so, will result in failure.
- To help insure your success and demonstrate your knowledge, use this shortened form of in-text citation: (Chapter #, page #).
- You want to demonstrate the use of content from each chapter covered. The way to indicate that would be through in-text citation
- You are free to write the project in any form: a dialogue with other jury members, a speech, an analysis of each individual, an essay…. As long as it is legible, understandable, and fulfills the above requirements.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running Head: CONSIDER THE VERDICT-STATE V. RANSOM
Consider the Verdict-State V. Ransom
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course Name
Date
1
CONSIDER THE VERDICT-STATE V. RANSOM
2
State v. Ransom
First of all, the case involving State V. Ransom requires the utilization of critical thinking
skills in making a verdict. Considerably, the jury room requires careful critical thinking as it is
one of the places where citizens actively participate. Critical thinking allows the setting aside of
any biases and judging issues in a fair manner. Cautious and careful reasoning is essential since
there is the need for the consideration of the laws that are involved and the application of such
laws at hand. There is also the need for the evaluation of the testimonies from both parties
involved and ensuring that the level of accuracy is determined along with its relevance.
Additionally, the application of critical thinking skills ensures that there is a fair hearing on the
sides of the case and be in a position to differentiate sound arguments from erroneous arguments
thus coming to a fair and rational conclusion (chapter 1, page 2).
In the State V. Ransom, critical thinking is an evitable skill since at the end a conclusion
is required and the jury is given the burden to prove the claims of the case along with separating
any false claims from reliable information. It is important also to set aside any arguments that are
irrelevant and major emphasis and focus on the question at issue. One thing to note is that being
biased in a court of law results in having a closed mind and this stifles critical questioning. Cases
must be approached with an open mind and free of favoritism (chapter 1, page 4).
Considering the case of State V. Ransom, the verdict should be guilty of homicide. In the
case, the prosecution witnesses include Dr. Arthur Hamilton, forensic expert Robert Andrews...
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