From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishopen verdictˌopen ˈverdict noun [countable] SCLSCTan official decision in a British court saying that the exact cause of someone’s death is not known The jury returned an open verdict. He said there was some doubt over the way Grant had died, and recorded an open verdict.
Examples from the Corpus
open verdict• Last Friday at Marc's inquest an open verdict was recorded.• Mr Barter said that despite a history of depression he had to record an open verdict.• Cleveland coroner Michael Sheffield said death was due to drowning and recorded an open verdict.• And the coroner recorded an open verdict.• As there was no medical evidence on the cause of death, he recorded an open verdict.• Read in studio An inquest jury has returned an open verdict on the death of a baby girl killed at a playgroup.• The inquest jury returned an open verdict because of conflicting evidence.• So an open verdict was the only appropriate one he could give.recorded an open verdict• Cleveland coroner Michael Sheffield said death was due to drowning and recorded an open verdict.• And the coroner recorded an open verdict.• At the inquest, the coroner recorded an open verdict, but urged staff to tighten up procedures.• As there was no medical evidence on the cause of death, he recorded an open verdict. 