Text: “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl
Purpose: Use evidence from the short story to prepare for a mock trial.
After Mary Maloney’s police chief husband is murdered, the police investigate but have a hard time figuring out the murder weapon.

Part 1. The Crime
Defendant: Mary Maloney
Victim: Patrick Maloney
Crime charged: Murder
What happened? (Briefly explain the alleged crime using details from the story.)
Mary Maloney’s husband, Patrick, tells her that he is leaving her. Mary becomes shocked and upset. She takes a frozen leg of lamb and hits Patrick on the head with it, killing him. Then she cooks the lamb and serves it to the police officers who come to investigate the murder.

Part 2. Evidence Collection
Complete the chart below using specific details from the text.

Evidence from the story: Mary had a frozen leg of lamb in the house. Patrick was killed by a strong blow to the back of his head. The police couldn’t find the murder weapon, and they later ate the cooked lamb.

Who discovered/provided it?: Mary Maloney provided information about the lamb and the grocery store. The police officers discovered Patrick’s body and investigated the house. Sam, the grocer, confirmed that Mary came to the store.

Supports prosecution or defense?: Both prosecution and defense. The prosecution is supported because Mary was alone with Patrick when he was killed, and she had the frozen leg of lamb. The defense is supported because the police never found the murder weapon, and they later ate the cooked lamb.

Why is this evidence important?: It is important because Mary was the only person with Patrick when he was killed, but there is no eyewitness and the police cannot find the murder weapon. This makes it difficult to prove exactly what happened.

Part 3. Evidence-based defense strategies
Use evidence from the text to identify possible defense strategies. Each strategy must be supported by specific story details.

Defense strategy: Lack of premeditation.

Evidence from the story: Patrick suddenly tells Mary that he is leaving her, and Mary reacts immediately by hitting him with the frozen leg of lamb.

How this evidence supports the defense?: It shows that Mary didn’t plan the murder in advance. She acted suddenly after Patrick’s unexpected announcement.

Part 4: Witness preparation.
List possible witnesses and what they might say in court.

Witness name: Mary Maloney

Prosecution or defense?: Defense

What would this witness say?: Mary would say that Patrick suddenly told her that he was leaving her. She was shocked and upset by his news. She would explain that she went to the grocery store and bought groceries, then returned home and called the police after «discovering» Patrick’s body.

Part 5. Case summary
Based on the evidence, should the defendant be found guilty or not guilty?
☐ Guilty     ☐ Not Guilty

Explain your reasoning using at least two pieces of evidence from the story: I think Mary Maloney should be found not guilty because there is not enough direct evidence to prove that she killed Patrick. First, no one saw Mary kill Patrick, so there is no eyewitness to the murder. Second, the police never found the murder weapon because Mary cooked the leg of lamb and the police officers later ate it without knowing it was possible weapon. Therefore, although there is strong suspicion against Mary, the evidence leaves reasonable doubt about the murder.