You Are The Jury

You Are the Jury was a fictitious crime drama series that was written by a criminologist and presented reenactments of courtroom trials, with the listener asked to play the role of the jury and determine the verdict. Each episode dramatized a different murder case, with the evidence and arguments presented in an engaging manner.

The series aimed to give the audience a chance to experience what it would be like to serve on a jury and make a decision on a criminal case. Though the trials were fictional, the show sought to provide an authentic and thought-provoking look at the judicial process.

The Stars

You Are the Jury did not feature any regular stars, as the focus was on the rotating cast of characters involved in each individual case. The show brought in a variety of accomplished actors to portray the various roles, including lawyers, defendants, witnesses, and judges.

It was created and written by New York Criminologist Roy Post.

Dan Seymour was the announcer.

Key Dates

Date of broadcast is not known.

Other Information

Roy Post was a criminologist known for his creation of the 1937 parlor game The Jury Box, published by Parker Brothers. The game invited players to act as members of a jury, solving six fictional cases based on evidence provided. It is considered a precursor to modern murder mystery and role-playing games.

Roy Post invented a lie detector machine called the Postometer. This device was designed to detect emotional changes by measuring blood pressure and temperature, which generated a small electrical current when a subject placed their hands on metal plates. The Postometer amplified these currents and displayed their levels on a needle and dial, theoretically indicating emotional responses that could suggest deception. However, like other lie detection devices of its time, it was not scientifically reliable for determining truthfulness.

While You Are the Jury was a unique concept for an old-time radio drama, the series was ultimately short-lived and there are only eight episodes. The show’s format, which asked listeners to actively participate in determining the verdict, was an innovative approach but may have been too complex or niche for widespread appeal at the time. Despite its brief run, You Are the Jury remains an interesting and distinctive entry in the annals of old-time radio crime dramas.