Ouija board in court?

Question

I have seen a number of people express their beliefs that Ouija boards can be used to facilitate two-way communication with the dead. If you believe the Ouija board has such powers would you be comfortable allowing information obtained from the spirit of a murder victim to be used against someone on trial for their murder? Would you be comfortable having any such information entered against you if you were on trial (for anything at all)? Why or why not?

Here's a (rather old) article detailing an instance where jurors actually did this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/southern_counties/4076927.stm

Answer 1

Even if you believed that Ouija boards can contact the dead, how could you ever ascertain that the spirit you've contacted is actually the murder victim?  There would be so much reasonable doubt about any information obtained by a Ouija board that it would never be useful in a court of law.  Same issue with a medium or any method to contact the dead.  Unless the court can verify that the spirit is who they say they are, you have a fundamental problem with that testimony.

Answer 2

hang us all now and save us from this...

Answer 3

LOL! This reminds me of part of paranormal Monty Python skit where some police officers used a makeshift Ouija board. It spelled out U-P-Y-O-U-R-S. Good ol' Harry "Snapper " Organs.

Answer 4

Think about it, they don't even allow lie detector results in court.  

This guy's trial was probably overturned because the bozos on the jury were discussing the case before it was handed over for deliberation.

Answer 5

Thats a great one, thank you.

I guess I should answer your question.

Yeah, then if someone brings me to court, I can hire an overpriced medium to defend me instead of an overpriced lawyer. My medium will conjure up contradicting evidence and get me off.

No, I see no issue, it about as real as what flys in courts today anyway. Take a look at OJ Simpson, Micheal Jackson etc......

Answer 6

Great idea,I'd be more then happy to trust a spirit witness' testimony.We could use Ouija boards for more then that.One could summon Solomon as judge.Another Clarence Darrow for the defense.We could take advantage of their wisdom and save some tax dollars at the same time.Useful and fun you just can't beat the Ouija.

Answer 7

I know you're baiting, but I'll answer honestly anyhow.  The problem I see with this is that the spirit can not be trusted.  What motivation does a spirit have to tell the truth?  They can't be held in contempt.  They can't even swear on the Bible.  I understand that people don't always tell the truth when testifying, however the thought of contempt may at least scare them out of a lie.

Answer 8

I would love to see it. Just to show how idiotic some can be. Great link.

Answer 9

How stupid using a ouija board for a court hearing, my god what will they think of next... ...a seance being held in the court room..lol so glad things as such dont happen in our court of law here.....

sorry but that is one of the most ridiculous things ive heard....

i know spirits and such do exist, but come on you have to draw the line somewhere....

Answer 10

PD...WELCOME TO YAHOO QUESTIONS!!!  This is a RARE appearance from you on THIS side of the fence! Thanks for your question!

What I've got to say is..WHHHHAAAATTTT???? They got drunk the night before they decided on someones innocence or guilt??? And yes, I think if they used the Ouija Board they were ..at the least..TRYING to contact someone outside the jury for advice.

  If I was on trial..and I was innocent.. and it could prove my innocence...I think I would be comfortable with it..But, like someone else said...you never know who'll "answer the phone" on a Ouija board!