OHS Troupe 228 to present play 12 Angry Men

OHS Troupe 228 to present play 12 Angry Men

The OHS thespians as well as OHS Troupe 228 will be presenting the play 12 Angry Men Friday November 5th and Saturday November 6th beginning at 7 PM at the George Daily Auditorium. Last evening, we had the opportunity to attend Press Night for the play. The play starts off with Jury Instructions from the Judge. The judge informs the jury that they can only find the defendant guilty if there is reasonable cause for his crime. The crime he is being tried for is murder. As the Jury gets into the deliberating room, many of them decide that the defendant is guilty and hope that the deliberations go quick.

After the jurors are seated, the foreman announces that they can deliberate first and then take a vote for the verdict or they can take a vote for the verdict first to see how the Jury stands. The vote is 11-1 in favor of the defendant being guilty. It is found that juror number 8, played by Senior Natasha Gorksi, has voted not guilty. Many of the jurors are mad and juror number 3, played by Senior Gabe Burns, demands to know why juror 8 voted no. Juror 8 says that things just don’t add up.

The jury decides to each go around the table and offer opinions as to why juror 8 should vote guilty. After much discussion, juror 8 offers a deal. The deal is that the jury will vote again, this time by secret ballot and she will abstain. If the vote is a unanimous vote for guilty, she will change her vote to guilty and they all will go home. If only one more juror votes not guilty, then they will stay and continue to deliberate. They jury votes and it is found that one juror has voted not guilty. After later discussion, juror 9, played by Senior Lex Sparks, reveals himself to be the other juror voting not guilty.

The jurors talk about the defendants record. The defendant has a history of stabbing a person, stealing a car, and also getting sent to reform school. Many of the jurors believe that the defendant’s record is enough evidence to convict him. The jurors begin discussing the murder weapon and how it was noted that the knife was an odd type of knife. The foreman asks the guard to bring in the murder weapon. After the knife is brought in, juror 3 begins to go on a rant about how the knife is very odd and isn’t sold in many stores proving that the defendant is guilty. In response to his comments on the odd type of knife, juror 8 brings out a knife very similar to the murder weapon. She reveals that she was able to buy it at a store just a couple of blocks from the place of the murder.

Shortly after this another vote is taken. It is revealed that the jury is evenly split, 6 to 6. Discussion then ensues of whether or not to declare themselves a hung jury. Another vote is taken, and the jurors vote 7-5 not to declare themselves a hung jury.  After much more discussion, including the recreation of the crime scene, the jury votes again. This time they vote 9-3 in favor of a not guilty verdict. This time, juror 8 talks about the knife wound which is revealed to go “down and in” the victim. Juror 8 points out that the defendant was shorter than the victim. She also points out that he was skilled with a knife therefore making it nearly impossible to stab the victim in the way that he was stabbed.

Another vote is taken and it is revealed that vote is 11-1 in favor of a not guilty verdict. Juror 3 is now the juror holding out. After much persuasion from juror 4, played by freshman Brett Ewing, juror number 3 switches his vote to not guilty. As the jurors file out of the room to announce the verdict, juror 3 is seen standing in the room with the knife blade out acting as if he is going to stab himself. Juror 8 hands juror 3 his coat and asks “Not Guily?” Juror 3 responds by snarling not guilty and storming out of the room.

The play is Friday November 5th and 6th beginning at 7: 30 PM sharp at George Daily Auditorium. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students. Activity passes will be honored.

Cast

Foreman of the Jury- Katie Akers

Juror #2- Grant Carriker

Juror #3- Gabe Burns

Juror #4- Brett Ewing

Juror #5- Sharon Boer

Juror #6-Ben Akers

Juror #7- Jana Latchaw

Juror #8- Natasha Gorksi

Juror #9- Lex Sparks

Juror #10- Micah Leaverton

Juror #11- Alauren Ellenberger

Juror #12- Natalie Whitis

Guard- Lincoln Morris

Voice of the Judge- Angela Hyland

Voice of the Clerk- Morgan Barrett