The Jurors
This juror is the first to vote "not guilty" because he feels the jury "owes" the defendant at least a few words of discussion.
Who is Juror No 8?
The defendant claimed he was at this location during the time of the murder, though he initially couldn't remember the details of the "pictures" he saw.
The defendant claimed he was at this location during the time of the murder, though he initially couldn't remember the details of the "pictures" he saw.
The judge instructs the jury that if they have this, they must declare the defendant not guilty.
What is a reasonable doubt?
This core theme of the play suggests that it is better to let a guilty man go free than to do this to an innocent one.
What is convicting (or executing) an innocent man?
All jurors must agree on the verdict.
What is a unanimous vote?
A refugee from Europe, this juror takes the pursuit of justice very seriously because he has suffered through so much injustice himself.
Who is Juror No. 11?
This "very unusual" weapon was found in the victim’s chest; the shopkeeper who sold it claimed it was the only one of its kind in stock.
What is a switchblade knife?
This juror, who grew up in a slum himself, is offended by the bigoted comments of others and eventually provides insight into how a switchblade is actually used.
Who is Juror No. 5?
Juror No. 8 argues that this specific personal trait—held by many in the room—is the greatest obstacle to justice, stating, "It’s very hard to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this... prejudice obscures the truth."
What is personal prejudice? (This highlights the moral lesson that self-awareness is necessary to be truly objective).
The boy’s claim that he was at the cinema was doubted because he couldn't remember these specific details about the films he supposedly saw .
What are the titles and the actors? (Juror No. 4 specifically points out he couldn't remember the "pictures" )
This "angry, bitter" man is a bigot who believes that people from the defendant's background are born liars and potential menaces.
Who is Juror No. 10?
Juror No. 8 refutes the "uniqueness" of the murder weapon by performing this dramatic action during the first act.
What is stabbing an identical knife into the table?
Juror No. 8 argues that the defendant's court-appointed lawyer was at fault for this reason.
What is not conducting a thorough cross-examination?
The power of No. 8's influence is fully realized when No. 3 is left standing alone. Instead of continuing to argue the facts, No. 3’s moral collapse is triggered by this object, which he eventually tears to pieces.
What is a photograph of his son? (This symbolizes the moment he realizes his quest for a "guilty" verdict was a moral failure—an attempt to punish his own son through the defendant).
To refute the claim that the murder weapon was a "one-of-a-kind" item, Juror No. 8 produced an identical one he had purchased for two dollars at this location .
What is a junk shop around the corner from the boy's house?
Described as a man with a "streak of sadism," he is the most forceful proponent of a guilty verdict and holds a deep grudge against his own son.
Who is Juror No. 3?
The neighbor on the second floor claimed he heard the boy scream this three-word phrase just before the body fell.
What is "I'm gonna kill you"?
According to the Fifth Amendment, this side has the "burden of proof," meaning the defendant doesn't have to say a word.
Who is the prosecution?
Following Juror No. 10’s final, hateful "bigot speech," the other jurors perform this symbolic collective action to show that his morality is no longer welcome in their decision-making process.
What is turning their backs on him? (As Juror No. 10 rants about "those people," the jurors physically move to the window or turn away, isolating his prejudice until he is forced to sit down and be quiet).
The testimony of the lady across the street was undermined when Jurors noticed red marks on her nose, suggesting she wore these and likely wasn't wearing them in bed while witnessing the crime.
What are eyeglasses? (The jurors realize she saw the murder through the train windows, but would have been unlikely to be wearing her glasses while trying to sleep )
This elderly juror is the first to change his vote to support No. 8, stating he wanted to hear more because he respected No. 8’s courage to "stand alone".
Who is Juror No. 9?
The woman across the street claimed she saw the murder through the windows of this passing vehicle.
What is an elevated (el) train?
This is the temperature-related reason many of the jurors are so irritable and eager to reach a quick verdict.
What is the extreme heat (it's the hottest day of the year)?
The play’s resolution suggests that "justice" is not necessarily about finding the absolute truth, but about maintaining the integrity of this legal standard.
What is "Reasonable Doubt"?
The old man’s claim that he ran to the door in 15 seconds to see the killer was refuted when Juror No. 8 performed a reenactment proving that a man with this physical condition could not move that fast.
What is a stroke (or being partially paralyzed/having a limp)?