12 angry jurors - juror 12

You took the words outta my mouth. Look, the old man heard the kid yell, “I’m gonna kill you.” A second later he heard the father’s body falling, and he saw the boy running out of the house fifteen seconds after that. Wheres the reasonable doubt in that?

That’s right. And let’s not forget the woman across the street. She looked into the open window and saw the boy stab his father. She saw it!

The woman across the street looked through the windows of the last two cars of the el and saw the body fall. Right? Right.

So?

This is a very sad thing. A man like this needs to be recognized—to be questioned, and listened to, and quoted just once. This is very important…

And you’re trying to tell us he lied about a thing like this just so he could be important?

We say it every day. This doesn’t mean that were really going to kill someone. Don’t the circumstances alter that somewhat?

The old man was murdered.

We forget. It’s good to be reminded. I’m glad that we’re going to be civilized about this.

Well, we’re still nowhere.

No, we’re getting somewhere, or getting there—maybe. Maybe

Who’s got an idea?

It’s all right with me. Anybody doesn’t want to vote? Let’s vote.

Yes, vote.

Twelve?

Guilty.

You can’t ever convince me that there’s a doubt, because I know there isn’t no doubt.

I tell you what, maybe we are a hung jury. It happens sometimes.

The doubt is there, in my mind. Maybe we should vote.

What do you mean—vote?

It’s the only solution. I agree, it’s the only way.

Anything to end this.

Twelve?

Yes.

If someone hates another person enough to kill them, don’t you think that it’s reasonable to suppose that the murderer would look at his victim for a second or two?

Divorce yourself from this particular case—just human nature.

The old man downstairs may have been wrong on the time, but in view of this I think it’s quite reasonable to assume that he did see the kid run downstairs.

So now both time sequences check—the one you did and the one we did; what with running downstairs and everything, it does pretty much check out on times.

That’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard of. You’re making that up out of thin air.

We’re a hung jury. Let’s just be honest about it.

Now watch this. I don’t want to have to do it again. Is that six inches?

That’s more than six inches.

He was even sent to reform school for knifing someone. Isn’t that so?

That’s right.

Neither do I. You’re giving us a lot of mumbo-jumbo. What do you think?

Well—I don’t know.

She has a right. Let her go ahead. Do you want me to time this, too? Let’s hear her.

I’m in advertising. I’m used to the big shots pulling things together. Let’s chip up a few shots and see if any of them land on the green.

Frankly, in view of this, I don’t see how you can vote for acquittal. What do you think about it?

Well—maybe…. There’s so much evidence to sift….

You know something?

I know lots of things. I work in advertising.

You know its hot?

I never would have known that if she hadn’t told me. Would you?

I suppose not. I’d kind of forgotten.

All I’ve done all day is sweat.

You’d think they’d at least air condition the place. I almost dropped dead in court.

My taxes are high enough.

I feel just fine.

I wonder whats going on down at the office. You know how it is in advertising. In six days my job could be gone, and the whole company too. They aren’t going to like this.

Well, figure this is our duty.

I didn’t object to doing my duty. I just mentioned that I might not have a job by the time I get back.

Anyway, this friend of my uncle’s was on a jury once, about ten years ago—a case just about like this one.

So what happend?

After six days she doesn’t know.

In six days I could learn calculus. This is ABC.

I know what it’s like. I never killed nobody.

I’ve been kicked around, too. Wait until you’ve worked in an ad agency and the big boy that buys the advertising walks in. We all know

I don’t see any need for arguing like this. I think we ought to be civilized. Right!

Oh, all right, if you insist.

Thank you.

Sure.

Shall we get back to the case? Yeah, let’s.

I may have an idea here. I’m just thinking out loud now, but it seems to me that it’s up to us to convince this lady—that we’re right and she’s wrong. Maybe if we each talk for a minute or two. You know—try it on for size.

If her testimony don’t prove it, then nothing does.

Thats right. She saw the killing, didn’t she?

I can understand the sensitivity. Now let’s stop bickering.

We’re wasting time.

Now let’s get the sequence of events right as they relate to the switch knife.

The boy admits going out of his house at eight o’clock, after being slapped by his father.

That sounds fair. Is everyone agreed? I certainly am.

Let’s roll it.