TV Quiz Coughing Scam Trial Delayed -- by Coughing

[TexasStooge]

From Yahoo! News:

The trial of a British army major accused of cheating in the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" TV quiz with the help of a coughing accomplice was adjourned on Monday -- because of an outbreak of coughing among the jury.

A court official said the trial of Major Charles Ingram, who is charged with swindling his way to the million pound ($1.6 million) top prize, was delayed because several members of the jury were experiencing cough and throat problems which made it hard for them to concentrate.

"It was adjourned for that reason...but should restart in the morning," the official told Reuters, adding that the judge would begin his summing up of the case then.

The three-week trial at London's Southwark Crown Court has gripped Britain where the widely syndicated show has been running for five years.

Ingram is charged alongside his wife, Diana, and college lecturer Tecwen Whittock with conspiracy and procuring a valuable security -- the million pound check -- by deception.

All three deny the charges.

The prosecution alleges the three devised a plan whereby Ingram, who was a contestant on the show, would muse aloud which of the four possible answers to each question he should choose.

Whittock, a fellow contestant on the show, is alleged to have guided Ingram to the right answers through a series of 19 strategic coughs which were later noticed on a tape of the show.

The court was told that Ingram went on to answer all 15 questions correctly, often thrilling the audience by changing his answer at the very last minute.

But Ingram denies meeting Whittock and the lecturer said any coughs he might have made were pure coincidence.

Quiz show host Chris Tarrant, told Ingram after his big win that "You are the most amazing contestant we have ever had."

[Amanzi]

Can You imagine how hard it must have been to keep a straight face in that court room! what with all the coughing!!!!!!

[bfez1]

Pass the Nyquil please

[mf_dolphin]

Can You imagine how hard it must have been to keep a straight face in that court room! what with all the coughing!!!!!!

Obviously they couldn't! Poor Judge !