PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford
It’s Friday. We twelve have been here all week. Julie proposed yesterday that we each say a prayer for guidance in the challenge before us.
The room is rather shabby but after last night’s storm, the light is good. The chairs are comfortable. The refrigerator is stocked with bottled water. The large speaker was initially distracting with court pages, but Lenny found out how to turn it off.
At 10a the vote is ten to three to convict. By noon, it’s six and six. By four, it’s unanimous to acquit.
We buzz the bailiff. She leads us into the courtroom.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the inviting host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Intriguing!
Love the yin and yang flow of it all!
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Thank you, Louise 🙂
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I was going to suggest it would be better to stock the fridge with something other than water until I realised it was a jury room. Suggestion withdrawn
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LOL Neil!
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Very interesting story Li.
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Thank you, Sadje. I watched a movie last night, “12 Angry Men” about a jury and the prompt photo reminded me of the room they were in.
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I think I’ve seen it too.
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That’s quite a turnaround. Can you share the name of the guy’s lawyer? Or maybe the head juror?
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LOL Fandango. Have you seen “12 Angry Men.” Aside from the orange stain’s former cabinet that is 😉
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Yes, I loved “12 Angry Men.” A real classic. Very intense.
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Shades of “12 Angry Men,” which I see you referenced in the comment right above me.
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Yes, Nobbin. I switched up some of the ingredients but the flavor is still there. Thank you for noticing.
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Great influence Lisa! I am glad they came to terms…no hung jury.
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12 Angry Men is a classic film. I liked how you used the prompt for this one.
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Thanks, Iain!
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I guess the jury gets worn out in the end. I was asked to be on a jury once, and thankfully they cancelled. It wouldn’t have pleasant discussing the crime for so long.
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Li, I really love how you used 12 Angry Men as a springboard for this intriguing story.
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Thanks, Punam!
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You are welcome.
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Juries are an interesting experience. Even the selection process. (K)
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I agree, Kerfe. I don’t see them as fair and impartial because of the selection process. I also don’t like all of the ways people can be excused from jury duty. It should be truly random, but initially based on demographics also, and it should be mandatory.
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I think there are legitimate excuses–I had to serve when my youngest was 3 and I had only morning preschool for her–don’t ask, a nightmare. But too many people do abuse doing their duty. And it is a duty. My mother was never once called up, while my father served many times.
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I’ve had to serve once and have gotten the letter a few times but never had to go again. Not sure about my folks or my kids but I think at least one son had gotten a letter but didn’t have to go.
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I’ve been called up too many times to count. Most times it’s civil cases and they get settled during or after jury selection. The one criminal jury I served on was an excellent experience.
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Dear Lisa,
I hope the defendant is worthy of acquittal. There are enough criminals on the loose as it is. A good build of tension. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you. The movie, “12 Angry Men,” is what I based it on. Part of the shock value for me with it was how the perspectives, based on the evidence after minutely discussed by all, shifted. Thank you for reading and your comment.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I’m sure some jury members go with the majority just so they can go home. In many cases, it’s the most persuasive lawyer that wins them over, rightly or wrongly.
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The movie, “12 Angry Men,” covers those aspects very well. Most are sheep, which is bad, but even sheep sometimes can be convinced to listen to the truth. There has to be a leader who has integrity and strength though to speak up.
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Now I wonder what was in the water …
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LOL
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😀
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That was quite a turnaround! Hopefully, justice prevailed.
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Thanks, Dora. In the film, they didn’t decide if he was guilty or innocent, only that there was reasonable doubt. The burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt.
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You know, I need to rewatch that Lumet movie. I have too dim a recollection of it.
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i could relate. been there and done that. i’d been to a jury that lasted a month before we were able to come up with a decision.
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Plaridel, I’m so glad your jury took its time to make sure justice was done. That’s quite a commitment of time.
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Hope you all made the right decision.
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🙂
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I wonder if this real justice or else they were just worn down to get the job finished so they could go home. It makes me wonder what really goes on.
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James I’m sure it runs the gamut. In the movie, it started out with 11 wanting to convict within minutes but 1 had reasonable doubt.
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Imagine someone’s fate taking a turn like that during the course of a day. Good one.
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Thank you for the closer look, Sandra.
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And of course, no one was more relieved for that long day to be over than the possibly very guilty accused person.
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True!
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They got there in the end, for right or wrong. I hope I never have to take part in a long trial, no matter how much bottled water is supplied!
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The jury is out on this. Mission accomplished. A neat job, what say! Time to unscrew that bottle, please! Loved the yin yang flow here.
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🙂 Many thanks for your wonderful comment. Cheers!
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I enjoyed reading this, Lisa. And 12 Angry Men is a great source of inspiration.
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Thank you, Magarisa, yes it is!
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Aha, jury room. Great concept. And I love the up and down flow of the verdict. I wonder what the case was? I love the way you focus on the little things, the water, how long they’ve been there, the distracting noise from the speaker. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Laurie! It’s based on a movie where it starts with them headed to the jury room, so we don’t get to hear any of the trial.
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