Activity Name: The Murder Simulation (The Jury)

Time Required: 5-6 hrs

Class Size: 18-30

Level: Advanced

Material Req.: Forensic evidence - knife, blade, note. Prepare teacher-teacher murder scene or use video. Rooms 1-4.

Optimum Time: Monday week 7 or 8.

Aim: To allow students to participate in a jury and try a murder suspect.

Background: This simulation is different to all other simulations.

Procedure: Inbrief - Don't mention that murder is about to occur. Just tell students they are going to be jury members. Hand out introduction sheet. Get students to read. Explain concept of "innocent until proven guilty" and "reasonable doubt". Divide class into half juries of 6-8 members. Send to small rooms and tell them to select a jury foreman.

Murder Act- Select one witness from each jury and take to room 5. Sit them down but don't allow them to suspect anything. Act out murder scene. Third teacher runs to small rooms and pretends terrible accident has happened. All students rush back to room 5 to see "dead" teacher on floor and suspect - fear at first: great laughter later. (warn Mr. Cheong in advance - he might try to phone police! )

Witnesses' Evidence - Send juries back to rooms and hand out "Murder" sheet. Send witnesses back to room. Swear them in and get them to give evidence and answer questions. After 15 minutes rotate to another jury. Keep rotating until witnesses have visited every jury and given evidence.

Suspect, Forensic Expert & Pathologist - Three teachers take on role of suspect, forensic expert and pathologist. Forensic expert shows evidence - knife, blade and note. Pathologist explains coroner's report. Suspect claims it was all an accident - unintentional.

Verdict - hand out "Verdict" sheet. Jury discusses testimony and evidence, and reaches a unanimous verdict. If a unanimous verdict cannot be reached, a majority verdict is acceptable. Allow at least one hour.

Sentence - Hand out "Sentence" sheet. Jury passes a sentence. Allow 30 minutes.

Debrief - Suspect is chained and brought to front of class. Each jury foreman stands up and gives verdict and sentence. Ask students whether they though intention and premeditation were involved. Ask about concept of reasonable doubt.

Additional Notes: A good murder act should be put on by teachers. Bring in some ketchup and do some shouting. Put a cup of water on desk and splash students with it when teacher gets angry. If using the video (wimps), allow students to watch it a few times. They usually don't get it the first time.

Normally the verdict discussion hinges on whether the suspect intended to kill the victim or not. Most juries go for manslaughter or 2nd degree.

Language Feature: Abstract ideas. Concept of intention and premeditation. Concept of reasonable doubt.

If time is short/long?: If short, don't rotate witnesses completely; put verdict and sentence decision together. If long, string out the dying part.. "well partner.. it's time to go.. it's been a good life..".