Twelve Angry Men

1. Twelve Angry Men By: Reginald Rose

2. Discussion • What is a jury? • How is it chosen? • What responsibility does an individual have to accept jury duty? • How could past experience bias a jury member? • What if someone lied to get on a jury? • Why does the jury system work?

3. Selection of a Jury1 • A large group of citizens are called to appear before the court for jury duty (usually receiving a letter in the mail) • Each province and state (both Canada and USA) has its own qualifications for those who may be eligible to serve on a jury • Universally, jurors must be: • citizens of that nation • be local residents (i.e. an Ontario resident will most likely not be called out to P.E.I. for jury duty) • of majority age, • of approved integrity (others must vouch for the “character” of that individual) • Both the prosecution and the defense examine the jurors to determine whether cause for challenge in any particular case exists • There are many disqualifications and exemptions from being a juror, which you will explore in an activity shortly 1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

4. Function of a Jury1 • Whether evidence is properly admissible or not (allowed or not) is a question for the court, but the weight and credibility of that evidence is determined by the jury • After the evidence has been presented, the two counsels, first the prosecution then the defense, “sum up” their arguments in a manner that is favourable to their own side • The judge makes a charge to the jury about the rules of law applicable in that particular case and sends them off to deliberate • Juries deliberate (consider and talk out the facts, arguments, testimony, evidence) until they reach an agreement (unanimous in criminal trial) and return to the court with a verdict as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant 1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

5. Law of Evidence1 • Burden of Proof • Burden of producing evidence beyond all reasonable doubt (persuading the jury to believe) rests with the prosecution to prove guilt • Relevance • Evidence is relevant when it has a tendency to prove or disprove disputed facts • i.e. eyewitness testimony is relevant because it can prove an event happened 1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

6. Law of Evidence1cont’d • Hearsay • Statements made outside of court by someone who is not present to testify under oath at trial • One reason for excluding this evidence is because cross-examination can’t occur, which is the opportunity for one side to ask questions to that witness in hopes of refuting his/her information/credibility 1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

7. Law of Evidence1cont’d • Witnesses • Nearly all persons with knowledge relevant to the case can testify • Expert witnesses can also be called on, which are experts in their field of work and can interpret findings, examine situations, forensics, etc. • i.e. psychologist, medical doctor, coroner 1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

8. Courtroom Terminology in Play • “murder in the first degree” • the killing of a human being with deliberate and premeditated intent • “beyond a reasonable doubt” • all jurors in a criminal trial must agree that there is no doubt or no reasonable doubt about a defendant’s guilt before they can convict him of the crime in which he has been accused • “foreman of the jury” • juror chosen to lead the jury in discussion, ask questions, and sometimes read the verdict

9. About the Play • The play deals with the sensitive issues of prejudice and racism, relying heavily on the portrayal of stereotypes • You must be alerted to the fact that the views of the jurors, as improper as they are (mid 20th Century), did influence the jury system/decisions for many years • This controversy emphasizes the play’s important theme of justice prevailing, even if one person stands up for what is right

10. The Jury System • Jury: a panel of citizens from the community • Jury members are required to be fair and impartial • Typically, 12 jurors are chosen for criminal cases • Jurors are required to reach a unanimous decision regarding the outcome of the case

11. The Play • Written and published after the author served on the jury of a murder trial in New York City • Originally written as a television show • Written to allow the audience to experience the part of a trial that is typically not witnessed • twelve jurors discuss the guilt or innocence of a 19-year-old boy accused of killing his father

12. Setting the Stage The Charge to the Jury: Responsibility