Twelve Angry Men What is Reasonable Doubt? - PowerPoint Presentation

Twelve Angry Men

What is Reasonable Doubt? In the United States, juries must be instructed to apply the reasonable doubt standard when determining the guilt or innocence of a criminal defendant, but there is much disagreement as to whether the jury should be given a definition of "reasonable doubt." [8] In Victor v. Nebraska, the U.S. Supreme Court expressed disapproval of the unclear reasonable doubt instructions at issue, but stopped short of setting forth an exemplary jury instruction.[9]

Reasonable Doubt ( con’t) reasonable doubt: n. not being sure of a criminal defendant's guilt to a moral certainty. Thus, a juror (or judge sitting without a jury) must be convinced of guilt of a crime (or the degree of crime, as murder instead of manslaughter) "beyond a reasonable doubt," and the jury will be told so by the judge in the jury instructions. However, it is a subjective test since each juror will have to decide if his/her doubt is reasonable.

Hung Jury A hung jury is a slang term for a hopelessly deadlocked jury in a criminal case, in which a decision on guilt or innocence cannot be made . Usually it means there is no unanimous verdict , although a couple of states don't require a unanimous verdict to convict. A mistrial will be declared by the judge in the case of a hung jury, and a new trial with a new jury is required.

Rhetoric is the art of using language effectively in order to persuade. In Twelve Angry Men Juror #8 and Juror #3 have different purposes for gaining the other jurors’ favor when they present their evidence. Juror #8 wants to rationalize the boy’s actions while Juror #3 desires that the jurors condemn the boy. Both men attempt to gain the other jury members’ favor by the use of ethos, pathos , and logos . Rhetoric in Twelve Angry Men

How Did They Persuade the Audience?

Ethos The writer or speaker appeals to his/her own credibility and character as a reasonable, reliable, and good person. I’ve lived in a slum a ll my life….

Pathos Evokes audience’s EMOTIONS throughhidden meanings, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole, contrast, and repetition.

LOGOS Appeals to audience’s LOGIC & REASONING By constructing a logical,Well-reasoned Argument and message; May include the use of a concession or counterargument.

Plot These twelve jurors have just heard the trial of an 18 year old boy who is accused of killing his father. His father was abusive.They lived in the ghetto of the city.The evidence is questionable to some, to others it is clear. The jurors MUST reach an unanimous verdict or a mistrial will be ordered.

Juror 1/Foreman Impressed with authority handles himself formallynot overly bright

Juror 2 Meek Hesitant and finds it difficult to maintain any opinions of his ownEasily swayed Adopts the opinion of the last person who has spoken

Juror 3 Very strong and forceful Extremely opinionated Humorless man who is intolerant of other’s opinionsAccustomed to forcing his views and wishes upon others

Juror 4 Wealthy Presents himself well at all timesThinks he is better than everyone elseAppalled at the behavior of the other jurorsOnly concerned with the facts of the case

Juror 5 Naïve, frightened young man Takes his obligations seriouslyFinds it difficult to speak up when his elders have the floor

Juror 6 Honest man Makes his decisions slowly and carefullyFinds it difficult to make positive opinions Has to listen and digest opinions of others that he finds appeal to him

Juror 7 Loud, flashy salesman Feels he has more important things to do than to be on this juryQuick temperedForms quick opinions on things he knows nothing about He is a bully, and a coward

Juror 8 Quiet, thoughtful, gentle man See all sides to every questionConstantly seeks the truthHas strength tempered with compassionWants justice done and will fight to make sure it is done

Juror 9 Mild, gentle old man Feels defeated by lifeWaiting to dieRealizes exactly what he isMourns for days when he would have been able to be courageous

Juror 10 Angry, bitter man Antagonizes everyoneA bigot who holds no value for any life but his ownA man who has gone no where and is going no where

Juror 11 A refugee from Europe Speaks with an accentIs ashamed, humble, almost subservient to othersHonestly seeks justice because he has suffered much injustice

Juror 12 Bright advertising man He thinks of individuals in terms of percentages, graphs, polls, etc.Has no real understanding of people Superficial snob, but tries to be a good guy