We’ve all heard of trials where the jury voted in a way that seemed absolutely illogical or astonishing. How could they think the defendant was innocent? How could they convict on such flimsy evidence? While judges and attorneys try to figure this out, the rest of us are left shaking our heads.

On this episode of The Forensic Psychologist, host Dr. Joni Johnston interviews Dr. Margaret Bull Kovera, one of the leading experts in jury research. Dr. Covera has spent hours talking to real and mock jurors to get inside their heads and see how they evaluate eye witnesses, experts, and other evidence that can make or break case.  

Dr. Kovera received her Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Minnesota. A Presidential scholar and current professor of psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Dr. Kovera is a Past-President of APLS and has served as the Treasurer of APLS and the Secretary/Treasurer of SPSSI. She is also the current Editor-in-Chief of Law and Human Behavior, the first woman to ever hold this position. For over twenty years, she has conducted research on eye-witness identification, jury decision-making, and scientific evidence with the goal of improving accuracy and fairness in the courtroom.