Today we heard closing arguments in Mrs. Lieberman's trial. The prosecutor went first, reminding the jurors that they all saw Mrs. Lieberman take the 16th-century vase in the security footage. He also said that it was not an isolated incident, reminding them of the hats and purses, which were found at the Birch Street Nursing Home along with the stolen vase. He emphasized that it was not a case of an older woman getting confused, but a cunning woman using her advanced age to pull one over on us. He urged the jury to not let her get away with it. Mrs. Lieberman then stood up and reminded the jury of the receipts for items she bought at the museum, saying those receipts prove that she routinely pays for things. And the security footage showed that she didn't sneak into the museum. She was in the bathroom, which was perfectly understandable and something any of the jurors might have needed to do after drinking a large coffee. As for getting confused, she admitted that she sometimes does. She told the jury that they'll likely all experience it when they reach her age, and she hopes that people around them will show them a little compassion when they do.
After the closing arguments, the judge reminded the jurors of their responsibilities and sent them off to deliberate. I decided to use the time to get some lunch across the street. While I was eating my sandwich, I glanced out the window and saw the prosecutor rushing up the steps of the courthouse. I shoved the last bite in my mouth, and got back to the court room just as the judge announced that the jury had reached a decision. I was nervous, because Grandmother had told me that short jury deliberations usually meant a guilty verdict. But when the jury foreman announced the verdict, Mrs. Lieberman was found not guilty! While everyone was leaving the courthouse, I gave Mrs. Lieberman a hug and told her I would see her on Saturday.
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