Introduction to Introduction to Twelve Angry MenTwelve Angry Men

Agenda:Agenda:Historical Context: Live Television Drama in

the 1950sAuthor: Reginald RoseHistory on Twelve Angry MenHow is the Law Involved?

◦ Law of EvidenceModern Example

Historical ContextHistorical Context11: : Live Television Drama in the Live Television Drama in the 1950s1950sThe decade of the1950s is

known for its live dramas that were broadcast on television; known as the “golden area of television”;

During this period, television replaced radio and film as the primary entertainment for society

Live drama died out in the 1960s because new technology enabled productions to be filmed

1 Prestwick House: http://www.enotes.com/twelve-angry-men-prestwick-tu/

Author: Reginald RoseAuthor: Reginald Rose11

Born on December 10, 1920 in New York CityDuring WWII he served in the US army, ending his

career as a first lieutenantAfter the war he worked as a clerk, publically writing for

Warner Brothers Pictures, writing short stories and novels

He became a regular writer for CBS’s Studio One, a weekly show that produced live drama

In that same year he wrote Twelve Angry Men, his most popular work to date, that was broadcasted on September 20, 1954

1 Prestwick House: http://www.enotes.com/twelve-angry-men-prestwick-tu/

History on History on Twelve Angry MenTwelve Angry Men

The play was inspired by Rose’s experience of jury service

The 12 “Angry Men” are the individuals that make up a trial jury for the purposes of hearing a legal case and interpreting the facts, and finally returning with a verdict of either guilty or not guilty for the accused

Law of EvidenceLaw of Evidence in the United States’ in the United States’

criminal justice systemcriminal justice system

Burden of Proof◦ Burden of producing evidence beyond all reasonable

doubt (persuading the jury to believe) rests with the prosecution to prove guilt.

Prosecution: ◦ The party instituting or conducting legal proceedings

against someone in a lawsuit. Relevance

◦ Evidence is relevant when it has a tendency to prove or disprove disputed facts. i.e. eyewitness testimony is relevant because it can

prove an event happened1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

Law of EvidenceLaw of Evidence11 cont’dcont’d

Hearsay◦Statements made outside of court by

someone who is not present to testify under oath at trial. One reason for excluding this evidence is because

cross-examination can’t occur, which is the opportunity for one side to ask questions to that witness in hopes of refuting his/her information/credibility

1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

Law of EvidenceLaw of Evidence11 cont’dcont’d

Witnesses◦Nearly all persons with knowledge relevant to

the case can testify.◦Expert witnesses can also be called on, which

are experts in their field of work and can interpret findings, examine situations, forensics, etc. i.e. psychologist, medical doctor, coroner

1http://moscow.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/twelve-angry-men.pdf

Vocabularypremeditated

◦ thought out or planned beforehandreasonable doubt

◦ the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction

unanimous ◦ (of two or more people) fully in agreement

hung jury ◦ a jury that cannot agree on a verdict after extended

deliberation and is unable to change its votes

Vocabularyslum

◦ a squalid and overcrowded urban street or district inhabited by very poor people

defendant ◦ an individual, company, or institution sued or accused

in a court of lawcoroner

◦ A government official who confirms and certifies the death of an individual within a jurisdiction

testimony ◦ A formal written or spoken statement given in a court

of law

About the PlayAbout the PlayThe play deals with the sensitive issues of prejudice and

racism, relying heavily on the portrayal of stereotypesYou must be alerted to the fact that the views of the

jurors, as improper as they are (mid 20th Century), did influence the jury system/decisions for many years

This influence comes from the use of Persuasive Elements

This controversy emphasizes the play’s important theme of justice prevailing, even if one person stands up for what is right

Modern Example The casey anthony trial of 2009-2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/06/us/06casey.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0