A man was on trial for the crime of stealing his neighbor’s TV.
After both sides rested, the jury left to deliberate. An hour later they returned.
“Have you reached a verdict?” asked the judge.
“We have, your honor,” the foreman said. “We find the defendant not guilty, but he has to return the television.”
Miffed, the judge informed them, “If you find him not guilty, then that means you don’t believe he stole the television. If he didn’t steal the TV, then how can he return it? Go deliberate some more until you can come back with a verdict that makes sense!”
The jury left again, and an hour later they returned once more.
“Have you reached a more consistent verdict?” asked the judge.
“We have, your honor,” the foreman said. “We find the defendant not guilty, but he can keep the TV.”
