Was there any indication that conformity played a role in the jurys decision making process?
The initial vote that was taken was public. As they voted by raising their hands, several of the jurors, who later expressed that they werent sure the boy was guilty (e.g., Joseph Sweeneythe old man), looked around to see how the other people were voting. But when the ballot was secret and anonymous, some of them didnt comply. This strongly suggests that there was strong pressure to conform to the majority. Examples of those that may have initially conformed because of group pressure: Jack Klugman (the former slum kid): He didnt say much at first, and seemed to be unsure about whether or not the boy was guilty. He was a slum kid himself, so he probably had some doubts, but went along with the majority initially because of pressure. Joseph Sweeney (the old man): Initially conformed in the public vote, but switched when it was privatesuggesting that he went along with the crowd. Jack Warden (baseball guy): He went along with whatever was the majority opinion (partially because he just wa
