<p>Historically, lawyers were loathe to make up stories with no evidence for fear that the jury would punish their client for it. The sense was that the jury would feel that the only reason the defense would have to make up a story for which there is no evidence is because the client is guilty. This jury proved that may not happen so perhaps more defense attorneys will gamble with the “dog ate my homework” defense - particularly when they know their client is guilty.</p>