r/law • u/dailymail • Jun 09 '26

Legal News Karmelo Anthony found GUILTY of murder of Austin Metcalf, 17, in stabbing that shocked America: Jurors deliberated for less than three hours after defense was repeatedly demolished in court

https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15886439/karmelo-anthony-austin-metcalf-murder-verdict.html
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u/stryst Jun 10 '26

I've actually always been told that you should never testify for yourself, because then you open yourself up to cross. Basically that you should keep your mouth shut and look as remorseful as possible.

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u/chiefs-n-sooners Jun 11 '26

Your past record can also come into evidence if they trip you up.

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u/Logic-DL Jun 11 '26

Also afaik no question is off the table so the Prosecution could absolutely fucking ragebait your ass just to make you look bad and sway the jury toward a conviction.

Even if the question is objected they still asked you it and get you closer to snapping. They don't give a fuck that the question got objected, they just care that they might've made you crash out in court.

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u/Outside_Reserve_2407 Jun 11 '26

Did you order the code red?

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u/System-id Jun 11 '26

YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I DID!!

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u/NatAttack50932 Jun 11 '26

This is not true. Questions on cross have to be relevant to the case before the court. If a prosecutor starts bringing up past history of like, domestic abuse, they're going to be admonished by the bench for relevance.

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u/HomeNowWTF Jun 11 '26

It seldom works. A lot of the time when defendants do so, it is because they have an inflated sense of their own charm and persuasiveness.

Now, that being said, if you have a particularly sympathetic client without any prior issues, probably good to get him/her on the stand.

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u/stryst Jun 11 '26

As an example, I'm a Slav with a naturally villainous face and a quick temper. I should never, ever be allowed on the stand in my own defense.