The record will reflect that all members of the jury are present, the parties are present, we are ready to proceed.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, all of the evidence is now in, and we are ready for the closing arguments.

This is a civil action, and the burden is on the plaintiff in a civil action to prove the case by a preponderance of the evidence, by the greater weight of the evidence.

Since the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, under our system of jurisprudence, the plaintiff will have the right to open and close the arguments. So, you will first listen to the plaintiff, then you will listen to counsel for the defendants, and then since the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, the plaintiff will have the right to present the final closing argument.

You will recall, that I told you at the very beginning of this trial, that neither the opening statements nor the closing arguments are evidence in the case, and must not be considered by you as such. But they are made now to assist you in evaluating the evidence and applying the law.