The Jury

Dog barks

You're going down, you black bastard.

Various male voices yell abuse

Choral hymn singing

Ready?

This jury service has come just at the right time.

It's a big decision, Charles, signing on the dotted line.

It's no secret you were once in love.

It's one of the reasons we were so keen to have you.

You know, someone who had experience of life.

But it's also why we're so concerned that you make the right decision.

The rector is keen that you take this time

and find resolution in this matter.

Then either re-commit yourself and take your vows -

or don't come back at all.

No, that's not what he said.

Yes, it is.

Yes, it is.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Take it easy, mate.

Eddie fannon?

Yeah.

Sit down, son.

Sorry to call you. I didn't know who else to call.

Pauline at the clinic gave me your number.

It's all right. You did the right thing.

The full house for the young man, Maria, quick, and a nice cup of tea.

So... are you all right?

Yeah, just... a little...

First day out, yeah? Raw as a peeled onion.

You'll be all right, son.

God didn't save you from drowning to batter you to death on the beach.

So, what's the problem?

Er... look, I got home last night to find this.

It's a court summons for jury service.

I must have missed the date to withdraw, cos I was in the clinic...

When it came.

Why do you want to withdraw?

Well, they said you should avoid stressful situations.

Nobody's died, have they?

No.

You divorcing or buying a house?

No.

Those are stressful situations. This is jury service.

What? You don't think I should do it, do you?

Yes. You're sober, aren't you?

Yeah.

A productive member of society.

Right.

Next question?

God, a suit.

Yes.

Not just any suit. Your best suit.

Yes. I thought it would help me get picked.

You've been picked.

Summoned. They still have to pick me.

This way, they'll look at me and hopefully see someone respectable,

who's made an effort, takes his responsibilities seriously,

sees it for the honour it is.

What, being a juror?

Sure.

To stand in judgment over someone's destiny.

Justice in your hands. To do your citizen's duty.

And two weeks not thinking about selling pensions.

That someone of my generation

gets a chance to do something for his country makes me feel...

Important.

Oh...

Well, if you're so keen, then... I'd change.

What?

Isn't it the defence that chooses which jurors stay or go?

Yes. Is it?

The defence want people who look like they'll acquit.

Right now, you look like a pillar of the establishment. An authoritarian.

They're more likely to choose a beach bum.

A liberal. Someone who forgives.

I'll be downstairs.

Siren in background

general shouting

pakis!

This is the trial of the schoolboy

accused of murdering his 15-year-old classmate John maher.

General shouting

Here we are. Door to door.

I bet you've been looking forward to this, haven't you?

Well, it's something different. Nice to get out.

All my life I've wanted to do jury service.

Do my citizen's duty.

Finally, the summons comes through the door and who's it for?

The wrong Davies.

Looks like it's going to be a big one.

I bet you get that. I bet you get a big fat juicy murder trial.

I doubt it.

What if you do? What if it goes on for months?

It won't.

What if you get involved in some long-running trial?

Eh? How am I going to cope?

You'll be fine.

See you later.

Yeah.

What's that?

Just some dry cleaning.

Do you want me to pick you up?

No. I'll make my own way back.

You're so beautiful.

Come on, len.

I love you.

You know that.

I'll see you later.

What do we want?

Justice!

When do we want it?

Now!

Siren in background

protests continue

Are you all right?

What? A temperature?

Sandy, I'm just going into the court right now.

No, I understand. If you're sick, you're sick.

The last thing we want is joy coming down with something.

Listen, can you hang on till lunch time?

I'll make a few calls.

Sorry, madam, but mobiles are prohibited here.

Sorry. I've got to go.

Bastard!

Nice shoplifting trial, finished by lunch time.

Elsie beamish.

Elsie beamish?

Yes.

Jeremy Crawford.

Er... yes.

Jessica garland.

Shouting

please insert all metal objects in here.

There we are, sir. Thank you.

Where is it?

Up there on the left.

Warren Murray.

Yeah.

Jonathan donne.

It's in here.

Jonathan donne?

Jonathan donne?

Yeah.

I swear by almighty god -

that I will faithfully try the defendant.

And give a true verdict, according to the evidence.

The particulars of the offence

are that on the 15th of may,

the prisoner, duvinder Singh,

went to Manning Heath and there killed his fellow pupil,

John maher. The defendant is charged with murder.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Murderer! Lying paki! Lying scum!

Any further disturbances, and the public gallery will be cleared.

You don't behave like that.

Jesus.

Oh, god.

Mr Lewis.

Thank you, my lord.

Members of the jury, I appear on behalf of the crown,

with my junior ms Blake.

The defendant is represented by my learned friend mr cording,

and his junior mr De Jersey.

May I begin by asking you to look again at the indictment.

It's a very formal document, isn't it?

Written in brief, legal language.

Perhaps, with your permission,

I can help fill in the blanks.

On the 15th of may last year, at 6:30 in the morning,

the defendant, duvinder Singh,

Rose at home.

He packed his school bags, went downstairs,

ate breakfast, said goodbye to his family.

But then...

Instead of going to school, he went in the opposite direction.

He went along high street,

reaching his local temple. A sikh temple.

And there he broke in.

Was this for prayer?

For quiet contemplation or devotional thought?

No.

The crown contends it was all part

of a long-conceived,

premeditated plan.

A plan to collect

an antique sword.

A 5lb, 36" weapon,

which was kept in a cellar beneath the temple.

A 5lb sword which was shortly to become...

A murder weapon.

The sword concealed, the defendant exited the temple,

taking care to lock the doors behind him.

He went back along the street,

apparently in a state of distress,

as witnessed by the driver of a union dairies milk float.

From there, he went on to Manning Heath,

a large area of public Heath land to the north.

Dog barks