The trial of Jonathan Small
The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
The accused: Jonathan Small
Accused of: theft and being an accessory to
murder.
You are the prosecution for this case.
You will need to gather evidence that shows:
a. Jonathan Small is a dishonest and unreliable character
b. he knowingly participated in two murders and a theft and did nothing to
prevent them
c. he was responsible for the death of Major Sholto
d. he sought to steal the treasure from Major Sholto for purely selfish reasons.
You are the defence for this case.
You will need to gather evidence that shows:
a. Jonathan Small was influenced by other characters and had little control over
the murder of Achmet or the theft of the treasure
b. he was not responsible for the murders and demonstrated remorse and regret
for the deaths
c. he was not responsible for the death of Major Sholto
d. his motive for stealing the treasure from Major Sholto was not entirely selfcentred.
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The trial of Jonathan Small
The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
Use the following as a guide when you make your speech:
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I present the case for the (prosecution/defence) of
Jonathan Small.
Work thorough events chronologically (in time order) covering the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the
the
the
the
the
murder of Achmet
theft of the treasure
death of Major Sholto
murder of Bartholomew Sholto
theft of the treasure from Major Sholto.
Concluding your speech:
As the (prosecution/defence) has proved overwhelmingly, Jonathan Small is a
(guilty/innocent) man. I therefore direct you to find him (guilty/innocent) of the
charges against him.
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