3/24/00

 After the trial had been going on for three days, Finley, the man accused
of committing the crimes, stood up and approached the judge's bench.

 "Your Honor, I would like to change my plea from innocent to guilty of
the charges."

 The judge angrily banged his fist on the desk.  "If you're guilty, why
didn't you say so in the first place and save this court a lot of time and
inconvenience?" he demanded.

 Finley looked up wide-eyed.  "Well, when the trial started I thought I
was innocent, but that was before I heard all the evidence against me."