When lead juror Harold Dempsey announced that deliberations were to begin, there was a collective sigh of relief in the room. After listening to days of evidence and cross-examination, the twelve jurors were ready to deliberate and reach a verdict.

But within minutes of beginning their discussion, one juror suddenly dropped dead. The other jurors were shocked and horrified. Some began to cry, while others just sat in stunned silence.

The judge was called in and deliberations were halted for the day. The dead juror was replaced with an alternate and deliberations resumed the next day.

The death of their fellow juror cast a shadow over the deliberations. Some of the jurors felt that it was a sign that they should be extra careful in their deliberations, while others felt that it was a sign that they needed to reach a verdict quickly.

In the end, the jury reached a verdict and the case was decided. But the events of that day will always be remembered by those who were there.