Vocabulary
behaving in an angry, confrontational manner
belligerent
the juror "in charge" of the proceedings; impressed with his own authority
Foreman (Juror #1)
the boy's alibi for the time of the murder
He was at the movies.
hung jury
when a jury cannot come to a unanimous decision
the murder weapon
switch knife
to provoke someone to anger
antagonize
a sadistic, opinionated man who is intolerant of the opinions of others
Three
the boy's alleged motive for committing the crime
His father was physically abusive.
acquit
to find a defendant "not guilty"
Three has a troubled relationship with his own son and the crime reminds him of their own dynamic.
thought out or planned beforehand
premeditated
thoughtful, compassionate man who looks at all sides of a question and is initially the only juror voting in favor of acquittal
Eight
the reason the boy bought the knife
He bought it as a gift for his friend.
abstain
to choose not to participate in something
According to Nine, this is the reason the old man may have exaggerated his knowledge of the crime.
He wanted to feel important/be involved in something.
stubbornly persistent
dogged
a bitter, prejudiced man who places no value on any human life except his own
Ten
the testimony of the woman who lived in the building across the street
She was lying awake in bed, unable to sleep, and as the el train passed, she glanced out the window and saw the boy stab his father.
deliberate
the jury's process of thoughtful consideration of the facts of the case and whether there is sufficient evidence to find the defendant guilty
What was suspicious about the angle of the victim's stab wound?
The wound was made at a downward angle, yet the boy was several inches shorter than his father.
sanctimonious
A refugee from Europe who speaks with an accent; he is humble and seeks justice because he has suffered so much injustice
Eleven
the testimony of the old man who lived downstairs
reasonable doubt
legal term that means there is not enough evidence to convict a defendant of a crime
What was the final inconsistency that caused the jury to have reasonable doubt?