The Jury: Death on the Staircase on SBS two episodes to go – Was it a physical fight or an accident? Unsupported theories see tensions rise amongst the jury as they get locked in a heated debate about the evidence they’ve heard so far in The Jury: Death on the Staircase.
The series is an SBS Original and Australian-first that takes inspiration from a smash-hit format from Channel 4 in the UK to provide insight and analysis on how juries work. The gripping documentary event premiered to critical acclaim and continues Wednesdays at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Over five unmissable episodes, the series re-enacts a real manslaughter trial* with actors reciting real court transcripts word-for-word. But just as in a real court, the new jury is made up of 12 everyday Australians.
Nearing the end of the trial, pressure is starting to rise amongst the jurors, with tensions about differing views brewing. Polling audiences have indicated this rare insight into the jury deliberation room has many people believing jurors should receive legal training and that juries are not the best way to decide the outcome of a case.
Day five of the trial delivered a series of surprises for the jury. Visiting the scene of the crime sent speculation amongst the jurors into overdrive. When they returned to court, Van was looking forward to the autopsy report for some cold, hard facts. The prosecution called medical witnesses who meticulously examined the crime scene and Carlo’s corpse. They described unusual injuries on Shaun’s body, and the discovery of DNA from a third person. The judge forced a reckoning, asking the jury to deliver a midpoint verdict.
A recent poll on News.com.au asked if viewers have ever been on a jury. The results found that:
- 14% said they had and were satisfied by the outcome
- 7% said they had and were left disappointed by the jury system
- 47% said they had never been called up
- 32% said they had gotten out of it
Watch the jury share their theories about the case here
Join the conversation on social to have your say #TheJurySBS on Instagram @sbsondemand where questions will go LIVE while The Jury: Death on the Staircase airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
On Wednesday 27 November at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, the jury is locked in a passionate debate. Anya says they are full of doubts and then Craig drops a bomb – “I think he’s guilty of manslaughter.” Unable to agree on a unanimous verdict to acquit Shaun, the trial continues. The defence barrister presents his own forensic expert to throw doubt on the veracity of the prosecution argument. By the time our jury hears the prosecution’s gripping closing argument, even the most sympathetic are leaning towards guilty. How will this impact the final verdict?
The Jury: Death on the Staircase goes behind the scenes of the jury room where cameras and recording devices are normally strictly prohibited, to witness how a cohort of 12 strangers interpret confounding evidence, how they judge the motives and expertise of witnesses, and decode the ingenuity of defence and prosecution tactics.
The Jury: Death on the Staircase is a Northern Pictures production for SBS. Major production investment from SBS in association with Screen Australia.
Financed with the assistance of Screen NSW, who also supported post, digital, and visual effects. Based on a format created by ScreenDog Productions and distributed by Blue Ant Studios.
The Jury: Death on the Staircase will be subtitled in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
The Jury: Death on the Staircase airs Wednesdays at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand and encores Saturdays at 8:30pm on SBS.
Media Release – SBS
TV Central SBS content HERE
The Jury: Death on the Staircase on SBS two episodes to go
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