Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Main / SurpriseWitness

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Like the ''Star Wars'' example, the "deceased" Skinner barges into the courtroom to clear Bart's name.

to:

** Like In "Bart the ''Star Wars'' example, the Murderer", Bart ends up on trial for suspected murder of Principal Skinner. The "deceased" Skinner eventually barges into the courtroom and gives a testimony about where he was to clear Bart's name.name. [[AmoralAttorney The prosecution then actually requests for the testimony to get stricken from the record,]] which the Judge naturally denies.


* In ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'', Romo Lampkin puts his "associate," Lee Adama, on the stand during the trial of Gaius Baltar, ostensibly as part of his motion for a mistrial; Lee had heard his father, one of the judges on the tribunal, call Baltar a "traitor" unworthy of a trial. [[spoiler:However, Lee decides that he can go ''too'' far in his [[OedipusComplex little war against his father]], and refuses to directly testify about his father's statement. This still leaves the door open for Lampkin to ask other questions, resulting in a speech on the part of Lee that resulted in Baltar's acquittal]]. Probably justified by the fact that Lampkin was the only one who knew anything about law in the courtroom, and more than happy to fudge the rules a little.

to:

* In ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'', Romo Lampkin puts his "associate," Lee Adama, on the stand during the trial of Gaius Baltar, ostensibly as part of his motion for a mistrial; Lee had heard his father, one of the judges on the tribunal, call Baltar a "traitor" unworthy of a trial. [[spoiler:However, Lee decides that he can go ''too'' far in his [[OedipusComplex [[ChildSupplantsParent little war against his father]], and refuses to directly testify about his father's statement. This still leaves the door open for Lampkin to ask other questions, resulting in a speech on the part of Lee that resulted in Baltar's acquittal]]. Probably justified by the fact that Lampkin was the only one who knew anything about law in the courtroom, and more than happy to fudge the rules a little.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Subverted in the Trial episode of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. When Aang is accused by a small town of murdering their king in a past life, Sokka and Katara gather large amounts of evidence to prove his innocence, but they mean nothing in this town's KangarooCourt. In the end, Katara attempts to get Avatar Kyoshi to manifest herself through Aang in the hope that she will prove the Avatar's innocence towards the murder of their king. Kyoshi did appear, but...

to:

* Subverted in the Trial ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' episode of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''."Avatar Day". When Aang is accused by a small town of murdering their king in a past life, Sokka and Katara gather large amounts of evidence to prove his innocence, but they mean nothing in this town's KangarooCourt. In the end, Katara attempts to get Avatar Kyoshi to manifest herself through Aang in the hope that she will prove the Avatar's innocence towards the murder of their king. Kyoshi did appear, but...

Added: 39

Changed: 1092

Removed: 314

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

to:

[[folder: Live Action TV ]][[folder:Live-Action TV]]



[[folder: Music]]

to:

[[folder: Music]][[folder:Music]]



[[folder: Video Games ]]

to:

[[folder: Video Games ]]
[[folder:Video Games]]






[[folder: Western Animation ]]

to:

[[folder: Western Animation [[folder:Webcomics]]
* In the 2015 Free Comic Book Day ''ComicBook/AtomicRobo'' update, Dr Dinosaur attempts to call a surprise witness who is [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial absolutely not a genetically engineered super monster]]. Robo's lawyer objects on grounds that the defence is supposed to be appraised of all witnesses, and the judge tells Dr Dinosaur that he is to follow proper procedure or be held in contempt. [[spoiler:Then it turns out the surprise witness is a genetically engineered super monster after all.
]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]






[[folder:Webcomics]]
* In the 2015 Free Comic Book Day ''ComicBook/AtomicRobo'' update, Dr Dinosaur attempts to call a surprise witness who is [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial absolutely not a genetically engineered super monster]]. Robo's lawyer objects on grounds that the defence is supposed to be appraised of all witnesses, and the judge tells Dr Dinosaur that he is to follow proper procedure or be held in contempt. [[spoiler:Then it turns out the surprise witness is a genetically engineered super monster after all.]]

to:

[[folder:Webcomics]]
[[folder:Real Life]]
* In During the 2015 Free Comic Book Day ''ComicBook/AtomicRobo'' update, Dr Dinosaur attempts to call trial against the creators of The Pirate Bay, the prosecution pulled in a surprise witness who is [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial absolutely not a genetically engineered super monster]]. Robo's lawyer objects on grounds that witness... and was chewed out by the defence is supposed court ''and'' the press for trying to be appraised pull "some kind of all witnesses, Perry Mason crap", which in some countries and states is illegal for the judge tells Dr Dinosaur that he is prosecution to follow proper procedure or be held in contempt. [[spoiler:Then it turns out the surprise witness is a genetically engineered super monster after all.]]do.



[[folder: Real Life ]]

* During the trial against the creators of The Pirate Bay, the prosecution pulled in a surprise witness... and was chewed out by the court ''and'' the press for trying to pull "some kind of Perry Mason crap", which in some countries and states is illegal for the prosecution to do.

[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'': John Stewart, the Green Lantern of that League's incarnation, was accused of blowing up a planet and killing its inhabitants. While the rest of the League investigated, the Flash was left behind to stall the trial. (The {{Irony}} wasn't lost on him) Flash then introduced Kilowag (another Lantern) as a "surprise witness". When asked which sort of witness he was, Flash came with a joke about Kilowag's size.

to:

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'': ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'': John Stewart, the Green Lantern of that League's incarnation, was accused of blowing up a planet and killing its inhabitants. While the rest of the League investigated, the Flash was left behind to stall the trial. (The {{Irony}} wasn't lost on him) Flash then introduced Kilowag (another Lantern) as a "surprise witness". When asked which sort of witness he was, Flash came with a joke about Kilowag's size.

Added: 105

Changed: 120

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ''TheSimpsons'': Like the ''Star Wars'' example, the "deceased" Skinner barges into the courtroom to clear Bart's name.

to:

* ''TheSimpsons'': ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
**
Like the ''Star Wars'' example, the "deceased" Skinner barges into the courtroom to clear Bart's name.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* In the Creator/SidneySheldon novel ''Nothing Last Forever'', doctor Paige is on trial for killing a rich man who left her his fortune. The D.A. calls her TeacherFromHell boss who had suffered a stroke, the judge overruling the defense's objections. The D.A. smugly tells the doctor to relate his feelings on Paige...and the doctor proceeds to rip into this entire trial as a farce as Paige is one of the best doctor he ever taught and was only hard on her to make her better. He adds that she had no idea the guy was leaving her his money and for that matter, his death wasn't even her fault. The D.A. is stunned as the judge orders the charges dismissed while chastising him on how [[HoistByHisOwnPetard his own surprise witness just ruined his case]].

to:

* In the Creator/SidneySheldon novel ''Nothing Last Forever'', doctor Paige is on trial for killing a rich man who left her his fortune. The D.A. calls her TeacherFromHell SadistTeacher boss who had suffered a stroke, the judge overruling the defense's objections. The D.A. smugly tells the doctor to relate his feelings on Paige...and the doctor proceeds to rip into this entire trial as a farce as Paige is one of the best doctor he ever taught and was only hard on her to make her better. He adds that she had no idea the guy was leaving her his money and for that matter, his death wasn't even her fault. The D.A. is stunned as the judge orders the charges dismissed while chastising him on how [[HoistByHisOwnPetard his own surprise witness just ruined his case]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* In the Creator/SidneySheldon novel ''Nothing Last Forever'', doctor Paige is on trial for killing a rich man who left her his fortune. The D.A. calls her TeacherFromHell boss who had suffered a stroke, the judge overruling the defense's objections. The D.A. smugly tells the doctor to relate his feelings on Paige...and the doctor proceeds to rip into this entire trial as a farce as Paige is one of the best doctor he ever taught and was only hard on her to make her better. He adds that she had no idea the guy was leaving her his money and for that matter, his death wasn't even her fault. The D.A. is stunned as the judge orders the charges dismissed while chastising him on how [[HoistByHisOwnPetard his own surprise witness just ruined his case]].
-->'''Judge''': Let me give you a piece of advice you should have learned in law school. ''Never'' call a witness unless you know ''exactly'' what they're going to say.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Parodied in ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLplQWB2S_8 episode 3]] (along with several other CourtroomAntics), in which a barrister first calls a Mrs. Fiona Lewis, who babbles incessantly and incoherently. This is followed by "the late Arthur Aldridge", who is in a coffin and [[AlmostDeadGuy may or may not be dead]]), and then UsefulNotes/CardinalRichelieu (as a character witness), who upon cross-examination is quickly exposed as a professional impersonator based on the obvious fact that Cardinal Richelieu has been dead for over 400 years.

to:

* Parodied in ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLplQWB2S_8 episode 3]] (along with several other CourtroomAntics), in which a barrister first calls a Mrs. Fiona Lewis, who babbles incessantly and incoherently. This is followed by "the late Arthur Aldridge", who is in a coffin and (and [[AlmostDeadGuy may or may not be dead]]), and then UsefulNotes/CardinalRichelieu (as a character witness), who upon cross-examination is quickly exposed as a professional impersonator based on the obvious fact that Cardinal Richelieu has been dead for over 400 years.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* The climax of the trial in ''Film/AnatomyOfAMurder'' occurs when the defense attorney, after a moment's leave of absence, returns bringing in Mary Pilant, who had earlier disbelieved that the defendant's wife had been raped by the victim but now realizes the significance of a torn pair of panties she had found in the laundry chute.

to:

* The climax of the trial in ''Film/AnatomyOfAMurder'' occurs when the defense attorney, after a moment's leave of absence, returns bringing in Mary Pilant, who had earlier disbelieved that the defendant's wife had been raped by the victim but now realizes the significance of a torn pair of panties she had found in the laundry chute. She's a more realistic version of the trope, as she had previously been called to testify to other aspects of the case, and would therefore have already been subject to the discovery process.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


*** In the 4th case, Athena finds evidence pointing to someone named [[spoiler:Owen]]. She makes it her mission to bring this person to the stand, even though no one seems to have heard of anyone by that name. [[spoiler:The witness currently on the stand has multiple split personalities and one of them is Owen.]] Sure enough, this person's testimony blows the whole case wide open.

to:

*** In the 4th case, Athena finds evidence pointing to someone named [[spoiler:Owen]]. She makes it her mission to bring this person to the stand, even though no one seems to have heard of anyone by that name. [[spoiler:The ([[spoiler:The witness currently on the stand has multiple split personalities Dissociative Identity Disorder and one of them his alters is Owen.]] Owen]]) Sure enough, this person's testimony blows the whole case wide open.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None



to:

* ''Literature/ErrorOfJudgment'': A resident who (like Craig) exposed Prince at his last hospital is found and brought before the board of inquiry just as they were about to render a judgment in Prince's favor, and fire Craig.

Top