Querubin, Nestly A.

3B Reaction Paper

ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959)

The movie pertains to a small-town lawyer Paul Biegler who is a former district attorney who lost
his re-election bid and who became the defense counsel for the case of US Army Lieutenant Frederick
Manion. In this case, Lieutenant Manion was arrested for first degree murder of innkeeper Barney Quill.
Manion did not expressly deny the murder but claims that it was committed because his wife Laura was
raped and beaten by Quill. This is a tough case for Atty. Biegler who admits into his mind that it would be
difficult to get Lieutenant Manion cleared of the murder charge, so as to strengthen their defense Atty.
Biegler pushes him into a position to act as if he has no memory of the event, thus giving them a chance of
winning his freedom on the grounds of irresistible impulse which is a version o a temporary insanity
defense.

The movie also shows that reasonable behavior and proper procedure in court was followed. So as
to relate it with our subject matter, the order in the examination of an individual witness was observed.
There is a direct examination by the proponent, the cross-examination of Laura by the brilliant City
Prosecutor Dave who convincingly portrayed that she has a stained reputation in the society of being a
happy-go-lucky party girl. There is also a re-direct examination as well as re-cross examination. So as to
wit, this movie shows us the proper procedure to be conducted in a courtroom, specifically on murder
cases.

In this movie it can be seen that the conduct of the trial was not easy, specially the time when City
Prosecutor Dave was presented and were able to show during the cross-examination of Laura that she is a
woman who was not satisfied with her marriage and openly flirted with other man including the one she
claimed who raped her. This movie also portrays how Atty. Bielger is so passionate about his profession,
who will do everything for his client just to get a favorable judgment, perhaps he even tried to persuade
through Mary who is Quills daughter to persuade Pacquette the bartender who witnessed the murder to
testify for the defense, sadly he refuses. But at the end they successfully obtained a favorable judgment.
Lieutenant Manion is found not guilty for reason of insanity. However, at the later part of the movie it can be
inferred that Atty. Biegler might have acquitted a person who is truly guilty of the charge of him because the
next day after the verdict when they went to see for the Manions evidences were left lying around their
home that indicates Manion was actually a heavy drinker who beat Laura before they left. This might
indicate that Lauras sexual encounter with Quill was consensual and that Manion killed Quill out of drunken
jealousy.
Querubin, Nestly A.
3B Reaction Paper

LEGALLY BLONDE (2001)

Legally Blonde is a movie which I considered as a believe-in-yourself romantic comedy. Here, Elle
is a student and a sorority sister who has been dating Warren Huntington III and at the beginning of the
movie has her preparing for a big night, which she has in mind that Warren will surely propose to her. And it
is where all her frustration started when Warren at dinner dumps her and states his desire to become a
senator and would be marrying a Jackie, not a Marilyn. Out of her frustration she this idea of getting him
back, so she also enrolled in Harvard Law School where Warren is also studying. However she was
shocked when she discovered that Warren is engaged t an old girlfriend. I just admire the way Elle was
able to turn her depression into a positive outcome when she defended he co-Delta Nu sister Brooke
Windham from the murder charge against her.

During the examination of the witness, Elle showed a very good argument which she used her
knowledge and expertise about fashion. So this only portrays that in trial of a case, we must have working
knowledge not only of the law that governs the circumstances surrounding our cases but also of other
things which does not even have any relation as to the law.

The most significant lesson I learned from this movie is found at that part when Elle already given
her Graduation speech. To quote, I have come to find that passion is a key ingredient to the study and
practice of law and of life. It is with passion, courage of conviction and strong sense of self that we take our
next steps into the world, remembering that first impressions are not always correct. You must always have
faith in people and most importantly, you must have faith in yourself. In our chosen career this quote is a
great reminder for us, that even though we experience so many hardships in our journey in this career we
must not give up, perhaps we must set Elle as an example who made all the possible means to achieve
what she wants. And with the formula of passion and having faith in ourselves then it is possible that we
can achieve our endeavors in life. It might appear rough at first, but we still continue because failure is
never an option.