Stranger Rape or Impromptu Consensual Sex? Investigating Mock Juror Decision‐Making in a Genuine Contested Rape Trial

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to better understand juror decision‐making in a less typical rape trial scenario where even prior acquaintance is disputed. Adopting an improved mock trial paradigm including a video‐recorded recreation of a genuine rape allegation and jury‐group deliberation, 156 jury‐eligible participants took part in 1 of 13 identical 12‐person mock trials. Pre‐trial, a psychosocial questionnaire was conducted and post‐trial, juries deliberated attempting to reach a unanimous verdict. Regression analyses revealed that male jurors, those with greater belief in rape myths and lower scores in interpersonal manipulation were most likely to return not guilty verdicts pre‐deliberation. Post‐deliberation, increased self‐esteem and rape myth acceptance scores were associated with not guilty verdict selections. Female and Caucasian jurors were most likely to change their decision following group‐deliberation. This research has important implications for understanding the role that juror biases can have on rape trial outcomes with jury reform initiatives discussed.