The phrase originally came from the idea that finding a very recently fired (hence smoking) gun on the person of a suspect wanted for shooting someone would in that situation be nearly unshakable proof of having committed the crime.
Why is it called smoking gun?
The phrase originally came from the idea that finding a very recently fired (hence smoking) gun on the person of a suspect wanted for shooting someone would in that situation be nearly unshakable proof of having committed the crime.
What was the smoking gun of Watergate?
One tape, later known as the “smoking gun” tape, documented the initial stages of the Watergate coverup. On it, Nixon and H. R. Haldeman are heard formulating a plan to block investigations by having the CIA falsely claim to the FBI that national security was involved.
What did the Watergate tapes reveal?
The tapes revealed that Nixon had conspired to cover up activities that took place after the break-in and later tried to use federal officials to deflect the investigation.
Is a smoking gun circumstantial evidence?
The term “smoking gun” is a reference to an object or fact that serves as conclusive evidence of a crime or similar act, just short of being caught in flagrante delicto. “Smoking gun” refers to the strongest kind of circumstantial evidence , as opposed to direct evidence.
What is an example of a smoking gun?
A smoking gun is a clear piece of evidence. A babysitter who’s trying to figure out which kid ate the last chocolate cupcake might consider one child’s frosting-smeared face to be a smoking gun. ... A smoking gun almost always proves clearly that a particular person is guilty of something.
How does a smoking gun work?
The gun has a wood chamber on top and a 17.5-inch tube coming out of the barrel. To use it, you drop some wood chips in that chamber, turn on the fan, ignite the chips with flame and watch smoke billow out of the tube . Point the tube toward whatever food thing you’re attempting to smoke.
What was the Watergate scandal in simple terms?
The Watergate scandal was a scandal during and after the 1972 Presidential Election. ... Frank Wills, a security guard, discovered clues that former FBI and CIA agents broke into the offices of the Democratic Party and George McGovern months before the election.
What happened to the Smoking Gun Website?
The site has used those requests to assemble a collection of mugshots of current and historical celebrities. The cable network truTV, formerly Court TV, purchased The Smoking Gun, as well as the website Crime Library, in 2000. ... On June 2014 , The Smoking Gun was sold back to William Bastone.
What does no smoking gun mean?
smoking gun. Something that serves as indisputable evidence or proof , especially of a crime. For example, There is no smoking gun in the Oval Office; the President had no role in tampering with the evidence.
What president pardoned Nixon?
Proclamation 4311 was a presidential proclamation issued by President of the United States Gerald Ford on September 8, 1974, granting a full and unconditional pardon to Richard Nixon, his predecessor, for any crimes that he might have committed against the United States as president.
What controversial tactic did Judge Sirica do during the Watergate trial?
In 1973 he presided over the Watergate trials. Quickly growing impatient with their pace and the lack of information yielded, Sirica adopted the controversial tactic of questioning the witnesses himself, and he instructed the jury to consider not only what happened, but also why it happened.
Did Nixon get a presidential funeral?
His body was transported to the Nixon Library and laid in repose. A public memorial service was held on April 27, attended by world dignitaries from 85 countries and all five living presidents of the United States, the first time that five U.S. presidents attended the funeral of another president.
What are the two major types of evidence?
There are two types of evidence; namely, direct evidence and circumstantial evidence .
Is circumstantial evidence enough to convict?
Circumstantial evidence, in law, evidence not drawn from direct observation of a fact in issue. ... The notion that one cannot be convicted on circumstantial evidence is, of course, false. Most criminal convictions are based on circumstantial evidence, although it must be adequate to meet established standards of proof.
Is blood circumstantial evidence?
Forensic evidence
Other examples of circumstantial evidence are fingerprint analysis, blood analysis or DNA analysis of the evidence found at the scene of a crime. ... However, when proved by expert witnesses, they are usually sufficient to decide a case, especially in the absence of any direct evidence.
