Reference no: EM133252593

[Puppy Woes] Preston promised to sell Francie a Labrador puppy for $700 but backed out of the deal. Francie sued Preston in state court for breach of contract and asked for a jury to hear the case. During jury selection, one juror, Hilda, said that she did not think she could be fair to Francie because Francie did not appear to be a dog lover. Francie's lawyer asked that Hilda not hear the case on the basis that she could not be fair, and the judge excused Hilda. Francie also decided that another juror, Sandy, looked at her in a grumpy manner so, without a reason given, Francie's lawyer asked the judge to excuse that juror from serving. The judge did so. After the jury was chosen, Francie's lawyer made a statement to the jury, as did Preston's lawyer. Francie's lawyer then called to the witness stand Jules, a friend of Francie, who heard the discussion held between Francie and Preston regarding the purchase of the puppy. Jules testified under questioning by Francie's lawyer that she heard Francie say that she would pay $700 for the puppy and that she also heard Preston say that he would sell the dog for that amount. Unfortunately for Francie, Jules also testified in response to questioning by Preston's lawyer that Preston distinctly told Francie that he would only sell the puppy to her if Francie came with cash for the puppy within seven days. Francie did not show up with the money for ten days and Preston had already sold the dog to someone else. The judge ruled in favor of Preston.

Once Francie's attorney presented all the evidence, Preston's attorney could ask for a[n] ________blank.

a. Directed verdict

b. Closing argument

c. Immediate dismissal

d. Redirect examination

e. Mistrial