Vocab
What Is the Definition of Jury
A group of citizens chosen to decide the outcome of a trial.
Who is Juror 8
a quiet, thoughtful, and compassionate man who seeks the truth
Why does Juror 8 initially vote not guilty
He believes the boy deserves a careful discussion and that there are too many unanswered questions in the evidence to send someone to death without talking it through.
Why is the old man’s walking speed important to the case?
Because if he could not reach his door in the time he claimed, his testimony about seeing the boy run down the stairs becomes unreliable.
What is the Defintion of Verdict
The final decision of the jury — guilty or not guilty.
What Is the Definition Of Defendent
The person accused of a crime who is being tried in court.
Who is Juror 3
a forceful, opinionated antagonist driven by a deep-seated personal bias stemming from his failed relationship with his own son.
What does the film reveal about personal biases among the jurors?
Many jurors base their decisions on stereotypes, personal anger, or past experiences—not facts. Over time, they confront these biases and reconsider their votes.
How does the glasses argument undermine the woman’s testimony?
If she wasn’t wearing her glasses at the time, she probably could not clearly see the murder, making her eyewitness account questionable.
What is the definition of Reasonable doubt
A legal term meaning there is not enough proof to find someone guilty.
What is the definition of Prosecution
The lawyers who work to prove the defendant is guilty.
Who is Juror 2
a meek, hesitant, and easily influenced man who initially goes along with the majority vote because he is afraid to voice his own opinions
How does the weather influence the jurors’ behavior?
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The heat makes the men irritable, impatient, and more likely to argue emotionally rather than logically. When the storm finally breaks, the cooler air mirrors the calmer, clearer thinking in the room.
What does the identical knife shown by Juror 8 suggest?
It suggests that the murder weapon was not as rare as the prosecution claimed, weakening the argument that the knife must have come from the boy.
What is the Definition of Alibi
An excuse or evidence that someone was somewhere else during a crime.
What is the Definition of Testimony
A statement given by a witness in court
Who is Juror 12
superficiality, lack of real conviction, and indecisiveness, often changing his vote to align with the majority for the sake of efficiency
Why is Juror 3 the last to change his vote?
His anger comes from his strained relationship with his own son. He projects this resentment onto the defendant
His anger comes from his strained relationship with his own son. He projects this resentment onto the defendant,
What does the knife angle reveal about the murder?
It suggests the killer used the knife in a way inconsistent with the boy’s typical handling, making it less likely that the boy inflicted the wound.
What is the definition of evidence
Information or objects that help prove something true or false.
What is the Definition of Unanimous
When everyone agrees on the same decision
Who is Juror 5
a young, intimidated man who grew up in a slum and initially votes guilty out of deference to the older jurors
How does peer pressure affect the voting process?
some jurors change their votes not because they are convinced, but because they don’t want conflict, feel embarrassed, or realize they were going along with the group
What does the knife angle reveal about the murder?
It suggests the killer used the knife in a way inconsistent with the boy’s typical handling, making it less likely that the boy inflicted the wound.
What is the definition of Bias
An unfair opinion or feeling that affects judgment.