Related commentaries – Commandments

The Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:1 – 20:17

Ten Commandments in The Jury Room

Four men held up a grocery store in Louisville, Kentucky, and in the process shot and killed two policemen. When the men were brought to trial, their lawyer noticed a copy of the Ten Commandments on the wall near the jury box. “Judge Hayes,” said the attorney, “that framed reproduction of the Commandments is detrimental to this trial. I request that it be removed lest it adversely influence this jury.” Some people present observed that among the Commandments were these: “Thou shalt not steal"; “Thou shalt not kill.” The judge said he did not believe the document would prejudice the trial and refused to have the Decalogue removed from the courtroom. The Commandments remained in the courtroom. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #8199).