“Jury of Her Peers” — A Conversation with the Cast & Creators of the New Film
Rediscovering A Jury of Her Peers: Why a Century-Old Case Still Resonates Today
In the middle of a cold Iowa night in 1900, farmer John Hossack was murdered in his sleep—an axe blow to the head, with his wife Margaret just feet away. She claimed she heard nothing. The community was scandalized, the newspapers ran wild, and Margaret was put on trial for her husband’s murder.
But the most haunting part of the case didn’t happen in the courtroom. It happened in her kitchen.
Two women—neighbors, asked to gather some clothes for Margaret—noticed what the men didn’t. Smalls clues around the farmhouse that spoke volumes. Tiny signs of isolation, grief, and emotional unraveling. These quiet details became the foundation of one of the most powerful feminist short stories of the 20th century: A Jury of Her Peers, written by journalist-turned-playwright Susan Glaspell, who had covered the real case as a reporter.
Now, this quietly revolutionary story is being brought to the screen in a new film—and we had the incredible opportunity to speak with the team making it happen.
🎙️ Inside the Episode
In this episode of Crime Clueless, we sit down with:
William Rock, writer and director
Brianne Magel, Stephanie Schneider, and Cheyenne Goode — the film’s powerful cast
Together, we explore why this story still matters, the creative choices behind the film, and what it was like to breathe life into characters who often had no voice at all.
We also talk about:
How the real case differs from the short story
Why feminist silence is sometimes louder than a shout
The subtle power of what women notice
Creative decisions—like making characters sisters, or choosing stillness over spectacle
Behind-the-scenes moments that shaped the film
💡 Why This Story Still Hits Home
A Jury of Her Peers may be set in 1900, but the themes are disturbingly current. Isolation. Dismissed pain. Justice that doesn’t recognize domestic experience as valid evidence. It’s a masterclass in empathy, quiet resistance, and the overlooked strength of women in a world that doesn't always listen.
Whether you're a true crime fan, a film buff, a feminist scholar, or someone who just loves a good story—this conversation will stay with you.
🎧 Listen Now
🖤 On Apple, spotify, Prime, Youtube, Iheart and all major streaming platforms
🎬 Follow the film and cast
Website:
https://www.juryofherpeers.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/16zNGMVnaa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Trailer:
Find Stephanie:
Instagram: @Cheshire1031
Find Cheyenne:
Instagram: @Cheyenne.goode
📝 Want More?
Read A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell (free public domain version available here)
Explore the real 1900 Hossack case and its legal history
Learn about how true crime narratives shape feminist storytelling
💬 Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear what stood out to you in this episode. Was there a moment that gave you chills? A creative choice that made you see the story in a new way? Let us know in the comments or on social @crimeclueless.
And remember…
Sometimes justice doesn’t come from the court.
Sometimes, it comes from the kitchen.
Have thoughts on this story or other cases you’d like to see highlighted? Share them with us in the comments or connect with us on social media. Together, we can ensure that stories like this one are never forgotten.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media, share your thoughts, and let us know what you’d like to hear about in future episodes. If you have any true crime stories of your own, send them our way crimeclueless@gmail.com to be featured on a future episode! And as always, remember: refuse to be clueless, careless, or caught off guard. Not today, murderers.
See you in the next episode of Crime Clueless!
Resources:
Glaspell, Susan, and Edward J. H. O'Brien. A Jury of Her Peers. University of Virginia Library, 1996.
Bryan, Patricia L., and Thomas Wolf. Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America’s Heartland. University of Iowa Press, 2007.
Glaspell, Susan. Trifles. 1916. Provincetown Players; University of Virginia digital archives.
Champlin, Nikola. "A Jury of Her Peers." LitCharts, 2015.
Waterman, A. E. (1993). Susan Glaspell: A research and production sourcebook. Greenwood Press.
Wikipedia. (2025). Susan Glaspell & A Jury of Her Peers. Retrieved from Wikipedia.
Ozieblo, B. C. (1989). Susan Glaspell: A critical biography. University of North Carolina Press.
Ben‑Zvi, L. (2005). Susan Glaspell: Her life and times. Oxford University Press.
"The Hossack Murder" (2011). Story of the Week, Library of America.
IMDb editors. (n.d.). Jury of Her Peers (2025). IMDb.
RollingHype. (2024, November 1). ““Jury of Her Peers” Brings a Century‑Old Iowa Murder Mystery to Life on the Big Screen.”
Indiegogo campaign (n.d.). Jury of Her Peers Feature Film. Indiegogo.
Facebook – Will Do Films. (2024). “The official Jury of Her Peers website and trailer is now live.” Facebook.
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