The Case of Sam Spade Model and Evidence Continue

The Crime A small grocery store in your neighborhood was burglarized between 10 pm and 10:15 pm on Friday night. The store closes at 9 pm, and the last person working at the store had left by 10 pm. The burglar stole $500 from a locked cash register, which had been broken open with an axe. A large glass window was broken, and the police believe the burglar entered and left the store through the window. A policeman driving by the store noticed the broken window at 10:15 pm. Back Continue

After an investigation, the police have charged a local man – Mr After an investigation, the police have charged a local man – Mr. Sam Spade. You are a member of the jury in Sam Spade’s trial. The prosecutor has said that she is convinced by the evidence that Sam committed the burglary. You will consider the evidence and the explanation given by the prosecution and defense then decide which is correct.   On the next slide, you will see the 2 explanations of Sam’s case. You can think of the 2 explanations as model A (Guilty Model) and Model B (Innocent Model). After you understand the models, you will read all the evidence and think about it to help you decide which model is correct. Back Continue

B+ Model A: The Prosecution’s explanation of what happened: Back Sam left his blood on the broken window. Sam broke into the grocery store and stole money. Sam spent the money stolen from the convenience store at the races. Sam left his fingerprint on the counter of the store while he was stealing the money. Back Continue

The Defense’s explanation of what happened: Model B: The Defense’s explanation of what happened: Sam touched the counter of the store while he was buying a newspaper, leaving a fingerprint. Sam entered the grocery store and bought a newspaper. Sam played poker with his best friend at the time the crime was committed. Sam went to the races the next day with his poker winnings. Back Continue

Now we will show you the evidence for the case. You will fill in a table as you think about each evidence. Back Continue

The evidence supports the model   Arrow The evidence supports the model Double Arrow The evidence strongly supports the model X Crossed Arrow The evidence contradicts the model Double Crossed Arrow The evidence strongly contradicts the model Dashed Arrow The evidence is irrelevant to the model Back Continue

Sam Spade Evidence 1   Eva Archer, a neighbor of Sam’s who knows Sam well, testified that she saw Sam at the grocery store at 8:40 pm on the day the burglary took place.

Evidence 2 Sam was seen by more than 10 witnesses spending a large amount of cash at the horse races the day after the robbery.

Evidence 3  The police dusted for fingerprints one hour after the burglary was discovered. One of Sam’s fingerprints was found on the counter of the store.

Evidence 4  Blood was found on the window broken by the burglar. The type of blood was B positive. Sam’s blood type is B positive. About 8% of Americans have B positive blood type. Due to budget cuts, the police department could not afford to send the blood from the window for DNA testing.

Evidence 5   Sam is 45 years old, 6 feet tall, and weighs 180 pounds.

Evidence 6:  Both Sam and Sam’s best friend Joel testified that they were playing poker together from 10:30 pm. until midnight on the night of the crime. They both said they were playing at Joel’s apartment, which is 20 miles from the store that was robbed. Joel stated that Sam won about $400 during the game.  

Evidence 7:   Sam is a loud and insensitive neighbor. He often plays music late at night and has repeatedly ignored their requests to keep quiet.

Arrow Chart Model A Guilty Model B Innocent Evidence 1: Eva Archer, a neighbor of Sam’s who knows Sam well, testified that she saw Sam at the grocery store at 8:40 pm on the day the burglary took place.   Evidence 2: Sam was seen spending a large amount of cash at the horse races the day after the robbery. Evidence 3: The police dusted for fingerprints one hour after the burglary was discovered. One of Sam’s fingerprints was found on the counter of the store. Evidence 4: Blood was found on the broken window broken by the burglar. The type of blood was B positive. Sam’s blood type is B positive. About 8% of Americans have B positive blood type. Due to budget cuts, the police department could not afford to send the blood from the window for DNA testing. Evidence 5: Sam is 45 years old, is 6 feet tall, and weighs 180 pounds. Evidence 6: Both Sam and Sam’s best friend Joel testified that they were playing poker together from 10:30 pm. until midnight on the night of the crime. They both said they were playing at Joel’s apartment, which is 20 miles from the store that was robbed. Joel stated that Sam won about $400 during the game. Evidence 7: Sam is a loud and insensitive neighbor. He often plays music late at night and has repeatedly ignored their requests to keep quiet.

Exit ticket