12 strangers, one verdict, the hidden dynamics of jury deliberation

Twelve strangers, one life-altering decision. The so-called ‘mushroom trial’ underway in Victoria is a powerful reminder of just how intense jury duty can be. Strong voices can dominate, quieter ones fade, and the pressure to conform can silence doubt. 

It’s a high-stakes exercise in group psychology where instinct, emotion, bias and the human urge to belong all collide in one deliberation room.