My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 comedy that touches on legal issues. In the movie, the two main characters get wrongfully accused of murder and are at risk of facing a death sentence if they are found guilty. They get help from a relative named Vincent Gambini, who takes on their case, despite having no prior experience on defending homicide cases. This concerns Stan, making the possible death penalty seem more probable than winning the case. However, some of the motives and methods that Gambini uses during the trial are notable. The following text will review some of those moments and explain how some of the witnesses were discredited.
During the trial, Gambini puts some newly acquired information to good use. He recalls that the witness claimed to have started making breakfast when they heard the gunshot (Lynn, 1992). The man later says that it took him five minutes to make eggs and grits, although he admitted that he did not use instant grits. Vincent immediately invalidates the witness’ statement by saying that it would have been impossible for the latter to have cooked the grits faster than in 20 minutes. The man then admits that he does not know the exact time it took for him to cook the meal, thus proving Gambini’s point.
During the trial, Vincent confronts an eyewitness who wears glasses and claims to have been wearing them since childhood. The eyewitness says that the glasses help her see from the distance of 100 feet. Gambini tests that statement by using a tape measure and walking to the other end of the courtroom, which was 50 feet in distance. He asks the eyewitness how many fingers he is holding up, showing a couple of them. At first, the judge intrudes by answering instead of her. However, Vincent tries again, and the eyewitness says that she sees four fingers. Actually, he is holding two fingers, which disproves everything she previously stated.
By the end of the trial, Gambini involves two people: his fiancé Mona and the sheriff. The former is an expert on cars because many men in her family were automechanics. Mona verifies her knowledge by answering a trick question about Bellaire Chevrolet 1955. As her fiancé questions her, the woman explains that the tire tracks belong to a vehicle with rear end suspension and Positraction, meaning that it was not Bill’s car. This information, including the sheriff’s later testimony results in the two main characters being found innocent.
In conclusion, the movie presents the miraculous progress of an inexperienced lawyer and his use of skills and knowledge. Throughout the case, Gambini thoroughly assesses who and what may help him win the case. Some recently acquired information about grits help Gambini invalidate one of the testimonies. By using a tape measure, Vincent establishes that the third witness’ claims are invalid. Finally, by using his fiance’s expertise in auto mechanics, he lays out the final means of proving that the two defendants are not guilty of murder.
Reference
Lynn, J. (1992). My Cousin Vinny. 20th Century Studios.