Controversial Channel 4 show renewed for second series despite receiving mixed reviews from viewers

The Jury: Murder Trial has been renewed for a second season.

The controversial Channel 4 reality show followed two groups of people placed on separate jury teams but presented with the same evidence in a murder trial.

The goal of the experiment was to determine whether each group of 12 jurors would reach the same verdict.

The murder trial was based on a case that had happened in real life, but the names and locations were changed before filming.

Now, it has been revealed that the show will be returning to screens for another series.

A source said Sun: ‘The show is a groundbreaking true crime experiment that gives audiences an insight into the British jury system.

‘Our campaign highlights how, for example, a juror who is hungover or tired can influence the verdict as much as the facts of the case.

“With one trial and two juries, it’s fascinating to see whether they will both reach the same verdict.”

The first series was filmed in an old courthouse in Essex and the two juries had to decide whether a man should be found guilty of murdering his wife after hitting her with a hammer.

In the series, which was based on an actual court transcript, the defendant claimed he had killed her but claimed he had simply “lost control” at the time.

If that were true, it would allow the lesser charge of manslaughter to be imposed instead of murder.

At the time, attorney Alex McBride described the concept as “turning the wheels of justice.”

He said: ‘The jury system is extremely democratic. The problem is the element of chance. When I watch a jury render their verdict on a defendant, I always think, “You may or may not be lucky.

The series was not entirely well received by audiences, with some citing several inaccuracies in the show.

But some social media users claimed the show confirmed their “worst fears” about the justice system.

One viewer said: ‘My worst fears about the jury system are confirmed by #TheJury. “It’s like appointing VAR officials who have never seen a football match before.”

Another said: ‘I’m already irrationally angry at #TheJury. One day into a six-day murder trial and half of them have already rushed to sentencing…’