Opening Statement for Ryan Chappelle
May it please the court. Your Honor, opposing council, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. “Who framed Ryan Chappelle?” That is the question in this case today. We would like to first wish our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Kim Bauer. A horrible incident has happened to this family, but the state is trying to blame an upstanding veteran for something he didn’t even do.
It would be understandable to have strong feelings about crimes with everything we see on the news today. Ryan did not kill the victim Kim Bauer. Ryan Chappelle was framed. The question in this case is “Who framed Ryan Chappelle?” He was not involved in the crime and he is not guilty of the crimes that the prosecution is going to try to accuse him of.
Everyone wants to really know what actually happened on the evening of May 21st at the HHS apartments. The state has the burden of proof in this case to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. This young man sitting before you today is a veteran who has served his country for 8 years. He was awarded a purple heart for his service to our country. He is a vital member of our society that is employed full time. Does the young man sitting before you today look like someone capable of murder? One of the witnesses you will hear from today is his brother Rodger Stanton who will testify that Ryan was popular in high school, played sports, and because of the bond between Ryan and his dad, he enlisted in the army. Rodger will go on to testify that he doesn’t believe that his brother is even capable of the crimes he is being accused of. The state is going to present you with some evidence and although they will come across as having accurate information and ‘concrete’ evidence, it is all circumstantial. Most of what the state will present before you was either done incorrectly, did not follow protocol, or is completely circumstantial. This evidence will lead you to the question “Who framed Ryan Chappelle?” There will be other witnesses that you will hear from that