This was taken from the Alameda County District Attorney's Office

publication "The Point of View".

In a murder trial, the defense attorney was cross-examining a pathologist.

Here's what happened:

Attorney: Before you signed the death certificate, had you taken the pulse?

Coroner: No.

Attorney: Did you listen to the heart?

Coroner: No.

Attorney: Did you check for breathing?

Coroner: No.

Attorney: So, when you signed the death certificate you weren't sure the

man was dead, were you?

Coroner: Well, let me put it this way. The man's brain was sitting in a jar

on my desk. But I guess it's possible he could be out there practicing law

somewhere.