Chapter 1
The Trial, the Judge, and Counsel
(The mock trial begins with the introduction of Judge F. M. Rutherford and counsel for the
prosecution, Mr. G. Hunt KC, and for the defense, Mr. J. Klein. The accused, the medieval
French knight Geoffroi de Charny, appears and pleads "not guilty" to two charges. The prosecution
and the defense open their cases, and radiocarbon dating is briefly explained).
In a press release, the university’s School of Law stated that the
high-profile Turin Shroud project had been a treasure trove for scholars,
but had only a fragmented impact on the global public, with aspects of authenticity
drowning in a considerable volume of opinion. The project report stated that no evidence
"beyond reasonable doubt" had been established to explain how the image of a
crucified man on the shroud was formed. It further said that,
since the university was widely known for its research activities,
the question of authenticity should take center stage by presenting
evidence to a jury of twelve through a criminal proceeding in which the
defendant, the medieval knight Geoffroi de Charny, would be the principal suspect.
The press release concluded by noting that such a widely publicized
trial would place the burden of proof on the prosecution to establish that the shroud is not
authentic "beyond reasonable doubt."
The Board followed with a communiqué to the Los
Angeles community announcing a two-day mock trial to be held on campus that
could explain how the image of a crucified man on the shroud related to the
resurrection of Jesus, by sifting academic evidence alongside the Bible.
A team of renowned experts was invited to testify under oath to explain why the shroud has made such a confusing and fragmented impression, despite the research conducted by STURP scientists.
Early applicants purchased tickets for the event within days
of the official announcement—through the news channels—of the forthcoming trial;
the available seats were quickly taken. As soon as the doors opened for this curious two-day trial, attendees streamed into the reception