the defendant is innocent; rather he believes that they should talk about the case and make sure that if a guilty verdict is issued, it is beyond a reasonable doubt. The principle of reasonable doubt is based on the U.S. Constitution, and Juror No. 8, an architect and educated, reasonable man, tells the others ôweÆre talking about somebodyÆs life here. We canÆt decide in five minutes. Supposing weÆre wrong?ö The other jurors, however, believe it is an open and shut case and donÆt want to take the time to discuss the case. The dramatic conflict of the play is set up by the anger the jurors feel over the one holdout. Many of them also feel angry to serve jury duty.
The jurors, as all juries, represent a disparate group. At the time the play is set, however, an all-male, all-white jury was the norm for a capital offense. Whether or not this jury represents a
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