Following the shooting death of "socialite sportsman" Romney P. Patterson, Charmaine Patterson, his French wife, is arrested for his murder. Selected to serve on the jury at her trial are J. Clarence "Pudgy" Beaver, a tippling, timid real estate promoter, and his former high school classmate, the wealthy Mrs. Agnes Dean. During the trial, Agnes and Pudgy disrupt proceedings and aggravate Judge Henry Prime with their impromptu questioning of the witnesses, which include the Patterson's maid, Clara Simpson. Clara testifies that after she heard the fatal gunshots, she found Charmaine at her husband's side muttering, "Why did I do it?" According to Clara, Charmaine also offered her a bribe to say nothing to the police, an accusation Charmaine loudly denies. Suspicious of Clara's statements, Agnes inquires about Patterson's will and discovers that, after Charmaine, his cousin, Thomas Jeffrey, who was with him just before the murder, would inherit his estate. Later in the jury room, foreman B. J. Martin launches into an immediate vote, and all but Agnes vote "guilty."
Producer: Lee Marcus
Director: Ben Holmes
Screenplay: Franklin Coen (screenplay); John Frederick Ballard (play)
Cinematography: Nick Musuraca
Art Direction: Van Nest Polglase
Music: Roy Webb (uncredited)
Film Editing: Ted Cheesman, John Lockert (uncredited)
Cast: Victor Moore (J. Clarence Beaver), Helen Broderick (Mrs. Agnes Dean), Philip Huston (Steve Bell), Louise Latimer (Mrs. Clyde), Vinton Hayworth (Attorney Williams), Robert McWade (Judge Henry Prime), Maxine Jennings (Clara Simpson).
BW-70m.
