Showtour events brought The Murder Trial Live: The Jack Brewer Murders to Newark Rugby Club

More than 100 people played the role of jurors at a murder trial re-enactment and let a man accused of cannibalism walk away with a not-guilty verdict.

Showtour events brought The Murder Trial Live: The Jack Brewer Murders to Newark from Friday, August 2, until Sunday, August 4 and we went along to give it a go on the first night.

Inspired by true crime stories, the interactive event was surprisingly entertaining, and extremely intriguing, to the point of making you wonder about your judgement for days afterwards.

As someone who has attended courtrooms and inquests before as part of work, being part of a jury in what was a very realistic experience of a real courtroom, was quite an experience.

The courtroom at Newark Rugby Club was inflatable and the evening session ran from 6pm until 11pm, with matinee sessions from midday until 4pm.

There were defence and prosecution lawyers, a clerk, a judge, the defendant, witnesses and 20 tables of jurors. I was proud to be selected as the head juror of my team.

The Jack Brewer Murders case follows a man who has been charged with the murder of Julia Moores, Robert Harwin and Lee Barnes.

He stands trial following the discovery of human remains at an allotment in 2023 and he is thought to have consumed the flesh of his victims.

Extensive police work and forensics suggest Brewer could have murdered up to 23 people over a period spanning a decade but their identities are still unknown.

We heard from different witnesses, doctors, police officers, a family member and a neighbour. Jack was accused, he was defended and plenty of evidence was projected on the screens all over the room.

The defendant had a twin brother, and as predicted, all the conspiracy theories started around it, did he eat his brother? Was his brother guilty? Where is his brother? Did he do it or did he not?

I took pages of notes and to me I wasn’t even sure if I felt more like a reporter or a judge at times, trying to catch all the bits of information that could be relevant to the final verdict.

At points, the emotional part of me wanted to believe Jack was not guilty, but 85% of the time, all the evidence pointed to him being guilty. I was convinced it all led to it.

Without giving too many spoilers, after hearing the evidence, my fellow jurors and I, discussed all the details, our conspiracy theories, our individual opinions and verdicts.

We all agreed that Jack was guilty. Despite all the what ifs and is it possible, it was the obvious answer.

To my surprise, the overall verdict in the room was that Jack was not guilty. I am sorry but what? It was said by the clerk that a quarter of the jury gets the verdict wrong, but how is it possible that 12 tables agreed he was not guilty?

Even worse was when the team presented the verdict and then boom, the event was over, with no explanation.

I was beyond upset about the fact that I had to walk and make my way home wondering how people got to that verdict. If he was meant to be guilty or not? It was very intriguing.

If the aim of the whole event was to provide a courtroom-like experience, congratulations, it was amazing and everyone was so immersed in the event, taking notes, paying attention, questioning and doubting.

If the aim was to get people thinking about it for hours and days after the event ended, hen congratulations once again, because I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that a man who I was deeply sure had committed murder and eaten his victims walked away after a non-guilty verdict.

One of the exciting parts of the event is that the verdict will never be the same because it is based on the people who are there, their points of view and their theories and opinions.

This year’s live show is based on the real-life events of both Jeffrey Dahmer and Dennis Nilson, US and UK convicted serial killers who seduced and murdered their victims in cold blood.

Both men mutilated their victim’s bodies before disposing of the remains and in some cases, partially consuming their flesh.

Drinks and table service were available throughout the evening and the staff were efficient and friendly. People who had pre-ordered High Court tea were immediately served once sat down at their jury table.

I have heard about murder mysteries before, but having the chance to take part in a Murder Trial is definitely something very interesting, and it certainly left me thinking. I assume that is the point.

It was an experience that I definitely recommend, it was very entertaining and the perfect Friday evening out. Not only did we get the chance to play jurors and experience a courtroom alike trial, which many people will never get the chance to experience, but it was fun and a chance to meet new people .

Did I leave the event questioning the human mind and race? Yes, I did. Did I consider becoming a murder investigator or even a lawyer after that? Yes, I did. Is it an experience I would love to repeat once the company tours with a new case next year? Most definitely.