Prosecution Opening Statement

Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury: during this trial you are going to hear a story of a horrific crime. The state intends to prove that the defendant, Mr. Grinch, did intentionally commit the crimes of breaking and entering and theft.

The day in question is last Christmas eve, and the location is Whoville, where all the Whos live. Christmas is the most celebrated holiday in Whoville, everyone in the town participates. The day is full of happiness and excitement as the citizens prepare for Christmas day. Imagine what this would be like if it happened to you:

You go to bed, excited for the morning when you know Santa will have brought your presents. You have left out cookies and milk for him, and carrots for his reindeer. You have decorated and lit up your house, so that he cannot possibly miss it. Carolers are singing in the distance and you fall peacefully asleep.

The next morning you run downstairs to see what presents you have gotten. Your family is already there, with looks of shock and horror on their faces. Someone has stolen your Christmas tree, decorations, presents, the cookies, milk and carrots. Someone must have broken into your home in the middle of the night. Are they still here? Is everyone okay? Have they stolen anything else?

You step outside and you are only more horrified. The other citizens of the town are wandering around hopelessly, crying, or running in a panic. The tree in the town square is gone. There are no more decorations on any of the stores or houses, and children are asking their parents what has happened to their presents. Who could possibly do something so horrible to an innocent town of Who people?

All the money that you put into decorating your home, making your Christmas cookies and buying carrots, is wasted. All the time you spent getting ready is gone. Your whole Christmas day is ruined. The whole town in miserable and upset. Why would someone do this? How could anyone ruin Christmas, the best day of the year? Will this person come back? Will they do this every Christmas?

Finally, Cindy Lou Who, cries as she realizes what has happened. She alerts the town that she saw the Grinch, and that she thinks he is the one who has done this. How could he do this to Cindy Lou Who, who was always so nice to him? Does the Grinch not like Christmas? Will Cindy be okay, could this traumatize her?

The defense is going to claim that the Grinch has changed. This is not only untrue; it does not matter. The Grinch may say that is heart has grown 3 sizes, but that is unproven. Why would the Grinch suddenly have changed? He has always hated Christmas and has never liked the people of Whoville. He will have known how stealing Christmas will make the people of Whoville feel. How can he claim he changed his mind halfway through the crime? The damage is already done, the people of Whoville (especially the children) have been traumatized and Christmas may never be the same for them.

In conclusion, the Grinch needs to be charged for his crimes. He has caused irreparable damage to the town of Whoville. Cindy Lou Who cannot even look at the color green. Families have boarded up their windows and doors. There is a new curfew on Christmas eve, and the town does not decorate anymore. Many people in the town need to go to therapy. The evil person who has done this to Whoville does not deserve to walk free. Thank you.