How Important are Opening Statements in the Kim Potter case? Super Important

The Prosecution and Defense have just picked 12 jurors and 2 alternates who will determine whether the State can prove that Kim Potter is guilty of 1st and/or 2nd degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright. Now comes Openings. However, just how important are they? The answer is, extraordinarily important.

Opening statements, at there very best, provide not just a road map of what witnesses will be presented and what they will say. A really great opening statement also provides a lens for the jury to look through in order to analyze what the evidence should mean as it comes in. That’s right, it provides an interpretation for how to decide what happened. In the legal world, this is called a theme.

Think OJ. Remember, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit”? Well the idea was about far more than simply a glove. It was about all evidence presented and whether or not it made any sense. The idea of an opening is to make the jury look at every piece of evidence, every video, picture, statement through that perspective, through that lens. Does it make any sense? A good legal advocate can do that.

Jack Rice appears on WCCO Radio to discuss opening statements and why they matter so much. Jack has been a practicing lawyer, both as a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for almost 25 years.

If you are facing serious criminal charges, you desperately need a good advocate. Jack Rice, the founder of Jack Rice Defense is a former prosecutor, a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and an award-winning experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.