We the Jury

Now Showing -- July 24, 2003

We the Jury is the juxtaposition of past and present trials... of Jurors!

“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” -- Thomas Jefferson

“It is not only his right, but his duty... to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.” -- John Adams

We the Jury delivers an emotional and stunning enactment of a jury of twelve – twelve individuals playing their respective parts in both a 1670 London trial and a 2003 Denver trial – as they take on the responsibility for seeking and discerning the truth. In the process, they must ignore the directed verdicts of the Courts, the law-enforcement authorities and/or a biased public opinion, seek justice, and thereby take full responsibility for their verdicts.

The storyline begins during the time of William Penn and William Mead’s trial in 1670 London -- a time when juries were shanghaied into duty and expected to parrot the Court’s wishes. In effect, juries of the period were not free, and instead were obliged (on pain of punishment, heavy fines and/or imprisonment) to rubber stamp whatever the justices, prosecution, and other authorities decided.

Intermingled with the 1670 London trial is a modern day trial, having many of the overtones of the historical one. But instead of a jury doing whatever the Court (the justices or judge) decides to do, juries in their modern day deliberations are heavily (and illegally) influenced by public opinion and law-enforcement authorities. In multiple ways, there exists a coercion upon any juror for a particular sentence -- usually one of “guilty”.

Included with the two main stories, are two other critical episodes: one in Jerusalem at the time of Christ -- specifically the Sanhedrin -- and the other in ancient Rome during the late sixth century B.C.E. -- specifically the episode of Horatio holding the bridge against an invading army.

It is noteworthy that the description of the 1670 London trial is strongly based on the actual trial, its transcripts, and the historical facts surrounding the event. As incredible as some of the dialogue and exchanges are, they are historically accurate. Which, in some ways, makes it all the more scary. Meanwhile, the fictional events of the modern day trial are easily recognized as being based on recent, high profile trials – with equally lamentable results (i.e. no indication that the modern day juries fulfilled their duties).

Episode I Jury Duty Selections

Episode II Two Trials

Episode III Diversions

Episode IV Sanhedrin, et al

Episode V Judges

Episode VI Justice Denied

Trial by Jury Nature of Law Justice Justice, Order, and Law

Forward to:

Restorative Justice Arbitration Anarchy Revolution

We the Jury

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