12 angry men – or six?

“6 Angry Men” doesn’t have the same ring as the name of the famous film – but is 12 constitutionally required? Or is it merely a convention that some states choose to follow in the spirit of English common law? When the Supreme Court returns this fall, it will confront that question in Kian v. Florida , a case asking whether Florida may convict a person of a serious crime with a jury of only six.…