‘If It Doesn’t Fit, You Must Acquit’: Reframing the Story through Metaphorical Choice in the Closing Arguments

Abstract

In chapter 3, I addressed the prospective conceptualisation of trial participants through prescriptive lexicalisation in the opening statement phase of the trial. Following the elicitation of testimony from all the witnesses, human and physical, lawyers from both sides have a further, and final, opportunity to present a persuasive summary of the evidence in the closing argument before the jury retire to consider its verdict.