The Jury: Murder Trial

Legal experiment following the restaging of a real-life murder trial re-enacted word for word in front of two juries of ordinary people, neither of whom know about the other. Will they both reach the same verdict? In this first episode, we hear the real-life case of a husband who killed his wife with a hammer but denied murder. The defendant claims that he lost control, but will he be believed?

The defence claim husband John lost control because victim Helen made his life intolerable. John's description of her taunts moves juror Jodie to tears, as she recalls her own previous marriage. Juror Kelly is angry and upset at the victim blaming of Helen, as she herself has also been a vulnerable single mum in her past. Some of victim Helen's ex boyfriends give damning character statements about her and a psychologist declares that she had a personality disorder. Some of the jurors begin to sympathise strongly with the defendant - and juror Gary reveals a shocking episode of 'loss of control' within his own marriage.

The prosecution cross-examines John, saying he provoked Helen and was simply angry. Nineteen-year-old Ollie in the blue jury is convinced it's murder but is dismissed for not understanding the complexity of adult relationships. Emily in the red jury thinks she understands why John stayed in the relationship with Helen, rather than walking away, after looking after her alcoholic dad. John admits he may have fetched the hammer from outside the house. Ollie on blue jury thinks this is significant - but not everyone agrees. The evidence ends with positive character statements for John, leaving both juries conflicted and torn.

The prosecution and defence give their closing speeches and the juries retire to decide their verdicts, though both start divided. In the red jury, Ricky is sure it is manslaughter and hopes he can persuade his fellow jurors that he is right. However, two rival camps soon form. In the blue jury, Sonia and Olly are convinced it is murder, and while some are swayed, others say they will never agree. As the days pass, the debates become increasingly heated in both juries. Finally, however, they reach their verdicts.