“12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose (in English)

[Juror #9 has pointed out that the witness across the street had marks on her nose, indicating that she normally wore glasses]

Juror #8: [to Juror #4] Do you wear glasses when you go to bed?

Juror #4: No. I don't. No one wears eyeglasses to bed.

Juror #8: It's logical to assume that *she* wasn't wearing them when she was in bed - tossing and turning, trying to fall asleep!

Juror #3: How do *you* know?

Juror #8: I don't *know* - I'm guessing! I'm also guessing that she probably didn't put her glasses on when she turned to look casually out of the window - and she herself testified the killing took place just as she looked out, the lights went off a split second later - she couldn't have had *time* to put them on then! [stops #3 from stopping him]  Here's another guess: maybe she honestly thought she saw the boy kill his father - I say she only saw a blur!

Juror #3: How do you know *what* she saw? How does he know all that? How do you know *what* kind of glasses she wore? Maybe they were sunglasses, maybe she was far-sighted! What do you *know* about her?

Juror #8: I only know the woman's eyesight is in question now!

Juror #11: She had to be able to identify a person sixty feet away, at night, without glasses.

Juror #2: You can't send someone off to die on evidence like that!

Juror #3: Oh, don't give me that.

Juror #8: Don't you think the woman *might* have made a mistake?

Juror #3: [stubbornly] No!

Juror #8: It's not *possible?*

Juror #3: No, it's not possible!

Juror #8: [gets up and speaks to Juror #12] Is it possible?

Juror #12: [nods] Not guilty.

Juror #8: [goes to #10] You think he's guilty?

[#10 shakes his head "no"]

Juror #3: *I* think he's guilty!

Juror #8: [ignores #3; goes to #4] How about you?

Juror #4: [looks at #8, pauses, then shakes head] No... I'm convinced. Not guilty.

Juror #3: [shocked, having just lost all support] What's the matter with ya?

Juror #4: I have a reasonable doubt now.

Juror #9: Eleven to one!

“12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #3: [as Juror 8 sets up an experiment to see if the old man could reach his front door in 15 seconds] What do you mean, *you* wanna try it? Why didn't his lawyer bring it up if it's so important?

Juror #5: Well, maybe he just didn't think about it, huh?

Juror #10: What do you mean didn't think of it? Do you think the man's an idiot or something? It's an obvious thing!

Juror #5: Did *you* think of it?

Juror #10: Listen, smart guy, it don't matter whether I thought of it. He didn't bring it up because he knew it would hurt his case. What do you think of that?

Juror #8: Maybe he didn't bring it up because it would've meant bullying and badgering a helpless old man. You know that doesn't sit very well with a jury; most lawyers avoid it if they can.

Juror #7: So what kind of a bum is he, then?

Juror #8: That's what I've been asking, buddy.

“12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #2: It's hard to put into words. I just think he's guilty. I thought it was obvious from the word, 'Go'. Nobody proved otherwise.

Juror #8: Nobody has to prove otherwise. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. The defendant doesn't even have to open his mouth. That's in the Constitution.

“12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #8: [taking a cough drop that Juror #2 offered him] There's something else I'd like to talk about for a minute. Thanks. I think we've proved that the old man couldn't have heard the boy say "I'm gonna kill you", but supposing he did...

Juror #10: [interrupting] You didn't prove it at all. What're you talking about?

Juror #8: But supposing he really *did* hear it. This phrase, how many times have all of us used it? Probably thousands. "I could kill you for that, darling." "Junior, you do that once more and I'm gonna kill you." "Get in there, Rocky, and kill him!"... See, we say it every day. That doesn't mean we're gonna kill anyone.

Juror #3: Wait a minute, what are you trying to give us here? The phrase was "I'm gonna kill you"; the kid yelled it at the top of his lungs... Don't tell me he didn't mean it! Anybody says a thing like that the way he said it, they mean it!

Juror #2: Well, gee now, I don't know.

[Everyone looks at #2]

Juror #2: I remember I was arguing with the guy I work next to at the bank a couple of weeks ago. He called me an idiot, so I yelled at him.

Juror #3: [pointing at #8] Now listen, this guy's tryin' to make you believe things that aren't so! The kid said he was gonna kill him, and he *did* kill him!

Juror #8: Let me ask you this: do you really think the kid would shout out a thing like that so the whole neighborhood could hear him? I don't think so; he's much to bright for that.

Juror #10: Bright? He's a common, ignorant slob. He don't even speak good English.

Juror #11: [looking up] He *doesn't* even speak good English.

“12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #10: [the vote has become 9-3, enraging Juror #10] I don't understand you people! I mean all these picky little points you keep bringing up. They don't mean nothing! You saw this kid just like I did. You're not gonna tell me you believe that phony story about losing the knife, and that business about being at the movies. Look, you know how these people *lie!* It's *born* in them! I mean, what the heck? I don't have to tell you! They don't know what the truth *is!* And lemme tell ya: they don't need any real big reason to kill someone, either! No *sir!* [#5 slams the paper down, gets up from his seat] They get drunk! Oh, they're real big drinkers, all of 'em - you know that - and bang: someone's lyin' in the gutter! Oh, nobody's blaming them for it. That's the way they are, by nature! You know what I mean? *Violent!* [#9 rises and crosses to the window] Where're you going? Human life don't mean as much to them as it does to us! [#11 gets up and walks to the other window]  Look, they're lushing it up and fighting all the time and if somebody gets killed, so somebody gets killed! They don't care! Oh, sure, there are some good things about 'em, too! Look, I'm the first one to say that!  [#8 gets up and walks to the nearest wall] I've known a couple who were OK, but that's the exception, y'know what I mean? Most of 'em, it's like they have no feelings! They can do anything! [#2 and #6 get up from the table. Everyone's back is to #10. Looking around, starting to decline in volume] What's goin' on here? I'm trying to tell ya... You're makin' a big mistake, you people! This kid is a liar! I know it, I know all about them! Listen to me... They're no good! There's not a one of 'em who is any good! I mean, what's happening in here? I'm speaking my piece, and you... [the Foreman gets up and walks away. So does #12]  Listen to me. We're... This kid on trial here... his type, well, don't you know about them? There's a, there's a danger here. These people are dangerous. They're wild. Listen to me. Listen.

Juror #4: [quietly and firmly] I have. Now sit down and don't open your mouth again. [beat]

Juror #10: [the shock of being ignored and silenced sinking in] I'm jus' tryin'-a... tell ya...

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #7: I don't know about the rest of 'em but I'm gettin' a little tired of this yakity-yack and back-and-forth, it's gettin' us nowhere. So I guess *I'll* have to break it up; I change my vote to "not guilty."

Juror #3: You *what?*

Juror #7: You heard me, I've... had enough.

Juror #3: Whaddaya mean, you've had enough? That's no answer!

Juror #7: Hey, listen, you just uh... take care of yourself, 'uh? You know?

Juror #11: He's right. That's not an answer. What kind of a man are you? You have sat here and voted "guilty" with everyone else because there are some baseball tickets burning a hole in your pocket? And now you've changed your vote because you say you're sick of all the talking here?

Juror #7: Now listen, buddy - !

Juror #11: Who tells you that you have the right like this to play with a man's life? Don't you care...

Juror #7: Now wait a minute! You can't talk like that to me - !

Juror #11: I *can* talk like that to you! If you want to vote "not guilty", then do it because you are convinced the man is not guilty, not because you've "had enough". And if you think he is guilty, then vote that way! Or don't you have the guts to do what you think is right?

Juror #7: Now listen...

Juror #11: Guilty or not guilty?

Juror #7: I told ya! Not guilty!

Juror #11: Why?

Juror #7: ...Look, I don't have tuh...

Juror #11: You *do* have to! *Say* it! *Why?*

Juror #7: Uhh... I don't, uh... think he's guilty!

[Juror #11 stares back with impatient resignation, and finally returns to his seat]

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #7: I don't know about the rest of 'em but I'm gettin' a little tired of this yakity-yack and back-and-forth, it's gettin' us nowhere. So I guess *I'll* have to break it up; I change my vote to "not guilty."

Juror #3: You *what?*

Juror #7: You heard me, I've... had enough.

Juror #3: Whaddaya mean, you've had enough? That's no answer!

Juror #7: Hey, listen, you just uh... take care of yourself, 'uh? You know?

Juror #11: He's right. That's not an answer. What kind of a man are you? You have sat here and voted "guilty" with everyone else because there are some baseball tickets burning a hole in your pocket? And now you've changed your vote because you say you're sick of all the talking here?

Juror #7: Now listen, buddy - !

Juror #11: Who tells you that you have the right like this to play with a man's life? Don't you care...

Juror #7: Now wait a minute! You can't talk like that to me - !

Juror #11: I *can* talk like that to you! If you want to vote "not guilty", then do it because you are convinced the man is not guilty, not because you've "had enough". And if you think he is guilty, then vote that way! Or don't you have the guts to do what you think is right?

Juror #7: Now listen...

Juror #11: Guilty or not guilty?

Juror #7: I told ya! Not guilty!

Juror #11: Why?

Juror #7: ...Look, I don't have tuh...

Juror #11: You *do* have to! *Say* it! *Why?*

Juror #7: Uhh... I don't, uh... think he's guilty!

[Juror #11 stares back with impatient resignation, and finally returns to his seat]

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #8: [justifying his reason for voting "not guilty"] I just think we owe him a few words, that's all.

Juror #10: I don't mind telling you this, mister: we don't owe him a thing. He got a fair trial, didn't he? What do you think that trial cost? He's lucky he got it. Know what I mean? Now, look - we're all grown-ups in here. We heard the facts, didn't we? You're not gonna tell me that we're supposed to believe this kid, knowing what he is. Listen, I've lived among them all my life - you can't believe a word they say, you know that. I mean they're born liars.

Juror #9: Only an ignorant man can believe that.

Juror #10: Now, listen...

Juror #9: [gets up] Do you think you were born with a monopoly on the truth? [turns to Juror #8, indicating #10]  I think certain things should be pointed out to this man.

Juror #3: It's these kids - the way they are nowadays. When I was a kid I used to call my father, "Sir". That's right. "Sir". You ever hear a kid call his father that anymore?

Juror #8: Fathers don't seem to think it's important anymore.

Juror #3: [looking at him] You got any kids?

Juror #8: Three.

Juror #3: I got one. Twenty-two years old. [takes photo from his wallet and shows it to Juror #8]  Aah. When he was nine years old he ran away from a fight. I saw it; I was so embarrassed I almost threw up. I said, "I'm gonna make a man outta you if I have to break you in two tryin'". And I made a man out of him. When he was sixteen, we had a fight. Hit me in the jaw - a big kid. Haven't seen him for two years. Kids... work your heart out...

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #8: I just want to talk.

Juror #7: Well, what's there to talk about? Eleven men in here think he's guilty. No one had to think about it twice except you.

Juror #10: I want to to ask you something: do you believe his story?

Juror #8: I don't know whether I believe it or not - maybe I don't.

Juror #7: So how come you vote not guilty?

Juror #8: Well, there were eleven votes for guilty. It's not easy to raise my hand and send a boy off to die without talking about it first.

Juror #7: Well now, who says it's easy?

Juror #8: No one.

Juror #7: What, just because I voted fast? I honestly think the guy's guilty. Couldn't change my mind if you talked for a hundred years.

Juror #8: I'm not trying to change your mind. It's just that... we're talking about somebody's life here. We can't decide it in five minutes. Supposing we're wrong?

Juror #7: Supposing we're wrong! Supposing this whole building should fall down on my head. You can suppose anything!

Juror #8: That's right.

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #8: Look, there was one alleged eye witness to this killing. Someone else claims he heard the killing, saw the boy run out afterwards and there was a lot of circumstantial evidence. But, actually, those two witnesses were the entire case for the prosecution. Supposing they're wrong?

Juror #12: What do you mean, supposing they're wrong? What's the point of having witnesses at all?

Juror #8: Could they be wrong?

Juror #12: What are you trying to say? Those people sat on the stand under oath.

Juror #8: They're only people. People make mistakes. Could they be wrong?

Juror #12: Well, no, I don't think so.

Juror #8: Do you 'know' so?

Juror #12: Oh, come on. Nobody can know a thing like that. This isn't an exact science.

Juror #8: That's right, it isn't.

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

(Juror 8 has convinced everyone to change their votes to "not guilty" - except for Juror 3)

Juror #7: Well, what do we do now?

Juror #8: (to #3) You're alone.

Juror #3: I don't care whether I'm alone or not! It's my right.

Juror #8: (nods) It's your right.

(beat)

Juror #3: Well, what do you want? I say he's guilty.

Juror #8: We want to hear your arguments.

Juror #3: I *gave* you my arguments!

Juror #8: We're not convinced. We want to hear them again. We have as much time as it takes.

Juror #3: (another pause, seething with anger) Everything - *every single thing* that took place in that courtroom, but I mean everything - says he's guilty. What d'ya think, I'm an idiot or somethin'? (gets out of his seat) Why don'tcha take that stuff about the old man - the old man who *lived* there and heard *every*thing? Or this business about the knife! What, 'cause we found one exactly like it? The old man *saw* him! Right there on the stairs! What's the difference how many seconds it was? Every single thing... The knife falling through a hole in his pocket... You can't *prove* he didn't get to the door! Sure, you can take all the time, hobblin' around the room, but you can't prove it! And what about this business with the El? And the movies! There's a phony deal if I ever heard one. I betcha five thousand dollars I'd remember the movies I saw! I'm tellin' ya, every thing that's gone on has been twisted... and turned! (points at Juror #8) This business with the glasses? How do *you* know she didn't have 'em on? This woman testified in open court! And what about hearin' the kid yell? Huh? I'm tellin' ya, I've got all the facts here...  (struggles with his notebook) Here... Ah. (He throws it on the table. The photo of him with his son is on top) Well, that's it - that's the whole case! (He turns towards the window as the other jurors stare at him; he turns back to them) Well? *Say* something! (No one obliges; everyone is focused on him) You lousy bunch of bleedin' 'earts... You're not goin' to intimidate me - I'm *entitled* to my opinion! (He sees the picture of his son on the table) Rotten kids, you work your life out...! (He grabs the picture and tears it to pieces. He suddenly realizes what he's doing and breaks down) ...no. Not guilty. Not guilty.

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #8: (after conducting an experiment to see if the old man could have reached his door in 15 seconds) Here's what I think happened: the old man heard the fight between the boy and his father a few hours earlier. Then, when he's lying in his bed, he heard a body hit the floor in the boy's apartment, heard the woman scream from across the street, got to his front door as fast as he could, heard somebody racing down the stairs and *assumed* it was the boy!

Juror #6: I think that's possible!

Juror #3: (from the other side of the room) *"Assumed"?*

(Everyone looks at #3 as he chuckles)

Juror #3: Brother, I've seen all kinds of dishonesty in my day, but this little display takes the cake. Y'all come in here with your hearts bleedin' all over the floor about slum kids and injustice, you listen to some fairy tales... Suddenly, you start gettin' through to some of these old ladies. Well, you're not getting through to me, I've had enough. (starts shouting)  What's the *matter* with you guys? You all *know* he's guilty! He's *got* to burn! You're letting him slip through our fingers!

Juror #8: (brow furrowing) "Slip through our fingers"? Are you his executioner?

Juror #3: I'm one of 'em!

Juror #8: ...Perhaps you'd like to pull the switch?

Juror #3: For this kid? You bet I would!

Juror #8: (baiting him) I feel sorry for you. What it must feel like to want to pull the switch! Ever since you walked into this room, you've been acting like a self-appointed public avenger. You want to see this boy die because you *personally* want it, not because of the facts! You're a sadist!

(#3 lunges wildly at #8, who holds his ground. Several jurors hold #3 back)

Juror #3: I'll kill him! I'll - *kill him!*

Juror #8: (calmly) You don't *really* mean you'll kill me, do you?

 

"12 Angry Men" by Reginald Rose (in English)

Juror #8: It's always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this. And wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth. I don't really know what the truth is. I don't suppose anybody will ever really know. Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but we're just gambling on probabilities - we may be wrong. We may be trying to let a guilty man go free, I don't know. Nobody really can. But we have a reasonable doubt, and that's something that's very valuable in our system. No jury can declare a man guilty unless it's sure.