Now that you’ve enjoyed listening to “Who’s on First,” here’s a simple lesson you can glean from the bit: Be careful when using pronouns. In our everyday conversations, we depend upon pronouns to simplify conversation, but in the courtroom, overuse of pronouns can lead to confusion.
The premise of “Who’s on First?” is simple: “Who” is the first baseman, “What” is the second baseman, and “I Don’t Know” is the third baseman. The fun arises from Bud’s confusion about the pronouns and his inability to understand who “Who” is. But in your courtroom, you won’t have any fun if the use of pronouns leads to confusion. “He went after him and told him to stop. When he didn’t stop, he tasered him.” Huh?!? Who went after who? Who told who to stop? Who got tasered?
Avoid pronoun confusion by making sure you present a clear record. When you or your witnesses start referring to “him,” “her,” or “them,” interject and clarify for everyone who “he” is: “When you say ‘him,’ are you referring to Roscoe P. Coltrane, the deputy sheriff?” Clarify your use of pronouns, and you can be assured that you, your witness, and your jurors know exactly “who’s on first.”
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