Law Humor

By Judge Jerry Buchmeyer

From Bryant W. Scott of Houston, this excerpt from a jury trial before Judge John Compton of Houston (151st District Court). The plaintiff, "an unsavory dressed fellow" suing a mortgage company represented by Bryan, was claiming "priority of his mechanic's and materialmen's lien." During his cross-examination by Bryan:

Q. Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

A. Yes I have.

Q. Did you go to the penitentiary?

A. Yes.

Q. How long?

A. Three years.

Q. What was the crime?

A. Felony theft by false pretext - something like that.

Q. Did it involve an M&M lien?

A. Yes it did, but I would have pled guilty to killing my mother to get the deal they gave me ...

Judge Compton (wisely): Let me see the attorneys in chambers.

Full post as published by Say What! on January 26, 2009 (boomark / email).