The Case
What crime is the defendant accused of committing?
Murdering his father
Which juror is the first to vote not guilty?
Juror 8
What weapon was used in the murder?
A switchblade knife
What is a fact?
Information that can be checked or supported by evidence
What is the jury’s final verdict?
Not guilty
What are the two possible verdicts?
Guilty or not guilty
Which juror wants to leave quickly to attend a baseball game?
Juror 7
How does Juror 8 challenge the claim that the knife is unusual or unique?
He brings in a similar knife
What is bias?
A personal belief or prejudice that can affect fair judgment
Which juror is the last to change his vote?
Juror 3
How many jurors must agree on the final verdict?
All 12 jurors
Which juror shows prejudice against people from the defendant’s background?
Juror 10
What loud noise could have prevented the old man from clearly hearing the defendant?
A passing elevated train
What is peer pressure?
Feeling pushed to agree with or act like others
Does “not guilty” mean the jurors have proved the defendant is innocent?
No. It means the prosecution has not proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
Who must prove that the defendant is guilty?
The prosecution
Which juror uses his experience growing up in a poor neighborhood to explain how a switchblade is used?
Juror 5
Why do the jurors question whether the old man reached his door in time?
He has difficulty walking, and their reenactment takes longer than he claimed
Why is Juror 7’s desire to attend the game a problem?
He puts his own plans ahead of carefully deciding the case
Why is Juror 8 willing to stand alone at the beginning?
He believes they should discuss the evidence before making such a serious decision
What must the jurors do if they have reasonable doubt?
Vote not guilty
Which juror lets his anger toward his own son affect his judgment?
Juror 3
What detail makes the jurors question the woman’s ability to see the murder clearly?
Marks on her nose suggest she wears glasses, which she probably was not wearing in bed
Why is Juror 3’s relationship with his son an example of bias?
He directs his personal anger toward the defendant instead of judging only the evidence
What is an important theme of the play?
Fair decisions require questioning evidence and setting aside personal bias.