If he had been making other noises (e.g., talking) would it still be a crime?
** reply to Go_Arachnid_Laser**
Is “he” a human? Yes
Was the laughter a recording? No.
No.
The Merriam-Webster definition of chuckling is “to laugh inwardly or quietly”. Is that the definition for the chuckle in your riddle?
Did his chuckling:
-
indicate apathy
-
show conflict-of-interest
-
come during a time when he should be serious
-
get noticed by anyone else
-
come at a time when he should be impartial
-
happen in a location relevant to the puzzle solution?
Do we have to figure out what he was doing at the time to solve this puzzle?
Do we have to figure out where he was at the time to solve the puzzle?
(what must we figure out or describe to get this solved?)
I am OK with that definition or any definition for similar audible expressions of mirth. I mean it really could have been a chortle.
His chuckling was a crime. Why?
reply to Mahaloth
(NR=Not Relevant)
Did his chuckling:
-
indicate apathy --NR
-
show conflict-of-interest --NR
-
come during a time when he should be serious --NR
-
get noticed by anyone else --NR
-
come at a time when he should be impartial --NR
-
happen in a location relevant to the puzzle solution? NO
Do we have to figure out what he was doing at the time to solve this puzzle? NO
Do we have to figure out where he was at the time to solve the puzzle? NO
(what must we figure out or describe to get this solved?)
You need to answer why his chuckling was a crime. No more or less.
I keep debating whether or not to post the big hint. Do you want it?
edit: double posted something by mistake.
Is there a way to make it a smallish hint? A nudge?
Was it a crime at the time it occurred and later declared not to be a crime?
Was it declared a crime ex post facto?
Is it specifically chuckling that was the crime? Would it have been a crime if he had tittered, giggled, sniggered, snickered, chortled, cackled, guffawed or simply laughed?
Although you said the chuckling itself was the crime, I’ll ask whether he was held in contempt by a magistrate, which could occur outside of a courtroom.
Would the charge be a disorderly conduct charge?
Would the charge be a disturbing the peace charge?
Was he in the military?
Was he a government official?
Was the occasion one where laughter would generally be considered inappropriate (e.g. a funeral)?
No to all.
Not “chuckling” specific. Choose your synonym.
No.
No to all.
NR