Of Mice And Men Trial Report

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, first I would like to start by thanking you for your service. We are gathered here today to discuss the murder of Lennie Small committed by George Milton. Over the past two weeks, the evidence I have gathered suggests that Mr. Milton murdered Mr. Small out of mercy. Although both sides share conflicting evidence, I am here to prove to you that the prosecutor’s reasons for the acts committed by Mr. Milton are not justified.
Mr. Milton acted out of pure sympathy. According to what the evidence suggests, due to Mr. Curley’s hate for Mr. Small, Curley would have killed Lennie in the most inhumane way possible. As you heard, Mr. Candy was a witness to Mrs. Cindy’s lifeless body. He understood what Mr. Curley would

have done if Mr. Milton hadn’t ended Lennie’s life, as told to George before George killed Lennie: “We oughtta let ‘im get away. You don’t know that Curley. Curley gon’ta wanta get ‘im lynched. Curley’ll get ‘im killed.” Mr. Curley was also reported saying, “I’m gonna get him. I’m going for my shotgun. I’ll kill the big son-of-a-b**** myself. I’ll shoot ‘im in the guts…”, as told to Mr. Slim. It is indisputable that Lennie would have endured hell whether it be being shot in the gut, or being put in a mental institution for his actions.
Since George killed Lennie, the prosecutor would like you to believe that he should be sentenced to first degree murder.

In order to have been first degree murder, Mr. Milton would have had full intent of committing the action in addition to having the murder premeditated with malice afterthought. It is obvious that Mr. Milton is guilty and fully responsible for Mr. Small’s murder, but his qualifications for a degree do not add up to be of the first degree, but voluntary manslaughter (third degree.) In order for it to be third degree murder, or a “passion murder”, it has to be any intentional killing that involves no prior intent to kill – not pre-meditated. If that does not describe this case, I don’t know what

will.
George also wanted to protect Lennie from doing similar acts in the future.

From the beginning of the situation when George and Lennie went on their journey from Weed to the ranch, Lennie has been known for hurting/killing things without intent. First was the mouse, in which Lennie squeezed too hard after the mouse bit him. Second was one of Slim’s puppies, in which Lennie was petting a little too hard. Then finally, there was Mrs. Cindy. The reason for her death is the product of Lennie petting her soft hair, Mrs. Cindy being confused and yelling, and Lennie shutting her mouth, breaking her neck at the same time. Because of Mr. Small’s incredible strength, his murderous past was unintentional. Also, after he killed something, he was confused as to what happened, due to his poor mental health. He had no comprehension of what occurred and was too delayed in intelligence to realize the situation. According to Lennie’s unintentional murderous past, it is safe to say that Lennie would continue to do this again and again without any understanding. Mr. Milton killed Mr. Small in order to stop him from killing things in an innocent

nature.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, although this case holds definite controversy, it is obvious what the sole purpose of Mr. Small’s murder was. Mr. Milton is guilty of murder, but only because his murder was to protect Lennie from a more inhumane death. Instead of punishing for first degree murder, please consider the actions leading up to Lennie’s death, the witnesses’ accounts, and that George had Lennie’s best interest in mind when ending his life. If one of your loved ones was put in this situation, would you give them a life sentence even though Mr. Milton had no prior intent of killing Lennie and he took part in on premeditation up to this point? Please remember that George killed Lennie out of honest mercy. I am confident that you will choose the right decision. Thank you for your time.