By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: With the news world still abuzz with implications of former President Trump’s 34 felony convictions and impending sentencing in New York, we are left to wonder about the effectiveness of defense attorney Todd Blanche’s closing argument focused on “ten reasons for reasonable doubt.” Some of those reasons had undeniable merit, like […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: How many times have you heard that a jury — especially a jury that is deliberating about damages in a civil case — is about as predictable as the lottery? The broad perception is that as jurors arrive at figures in the deliberation room, they’re essentially throwing darts at a dart-board. […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Michael Cohen, the “Fixer” for Donald Trump, has recently gotten off the stand in the former President’s “hush money” trial. Those taking aim at Cohen’s testimony have pointed out frequent use of “I don’t recall” on many of the details. That, of course, is a common response for many witnesses, and […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Yesterday, I spent the full day as a prospective juror at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver. As you can tell from the fact that I’m writing about it, I did not get selected for the jury. Alas, I was just one of the many “gallery ghosts” watching as others were questioned, […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on yet another momentous legal issue – this time, the claim of absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for claimed official acts by former President, Donald Trump who faces, among other charges, four criminal counts involving conspiracy to defraud the government, disenfranchise voters, […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: As the historic first (but not last) criminal trial of a former U.S. President was kicking off last week, Mr. Trump commented, “Jury selection is largely luck,” before moving on to his more familiar complaints about the unfairness of the venue, the charges, the judge, and the trial process as a […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: The Reptile approach to courtroom persuasion aims to sell plaintiffs’ cases by invoking absolute duties for protection wrapped around a fear appeal that resonates with the jurors. Even with the Reptile’s ‘reboot’ version, the ‘Edge’ training appears to continue this emphasis. In a second part of an article in the CLM […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Your typical mock trial might involve three juries, with a total of 30 or so mock jurors. The typical public opinion poll run by an organization like Gallup, however, can involve more like 1000 participants. So what is the disconnect when it comes to sample size, the variable that researchers refer […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Recently, civil defendants have been interested in a new label: “Safetyism.” The idea focuses on a pervasive and increasing attitude in the jury-eligible population that demands unrealistic standards when it comes to protecting customers, patients, and the general public. The name, I think, might be a little deceptive, because it isn’t […]
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: In an era of increased juror skepticism and perceived “Nuclear Verdicts,” there has been a call for new thinking on defense side. The need is for fresh approaches to cut against the factors motivating jurors toward extreme verdicts. The approach outlined in the book Nuclear Verdicts by Tyson & Mendes partner […]