1. Steve titles his movieMonster as a reaction to how he has been treated since being accused of involvement in a murder.
2. Steve’s lawyer, Kathy O’Brien, informs him that he and James King are being charged with felony murder and that the prosecution is seeking the death penalty.
3. Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor, calls a series of witnesses to discredit Steve and James King and prove that they are guilty.
4. The details of the crime are presented in court: On December 23rd, Aguinaldo Nesbitt, owner of a Harlem drugstore, was killed after a fight broke out when two young men, James King and Richard Evans, attempted to rob his store. Nesbitt pulled a gun to defend himself, it went off when he and Evans fought over it, and Nesbitt died. Steve was accused of participation in the crime because he was presumed to be outside the drugstore acting as a lookout.
5. Steve has important flashbacks to sitting on a stoop on 141st Street with James King, who talks about his money problems and how committing a robbery could help him make ends meet.
6. Nesbitt's employee, Jose Delgado, explains that, on the day of the robbery, he left the drugstore to get Chinese food. Upon his return to work, he found Mr. Nesbitt in a pool of blood on the ground. Jose also tells the courtroom that five cigarette cases were missing from the register.
7. Steve has more flashbacks, which portray the innocence of his youth. These flashbacks focus on his love for film, his relationship with his film teacher, and his participation in film club.
8. Steve’s father comes to visit him, and it is revealed that he loves and supports his son but is not positive that Steve is telling the whole truth. This is very painful for both Steve and Mr. Harmon, and Mr. Harmon leaves in tears.
9. Kathy O’Brien places the photos of the crime scene in front of Steve to see his reaction, wanting very much to believe in Steve’s innocence.
10. Osvaldo Cruz testifies at the trial and admits to being part of the robbery.
11. Steve testifies in his own defense, claiming he was not in the drugstore the day of the robbery and that he had not spoken with any of the young men since.
12. Steve’s lawyer tells the court that Steve never met with Ellis or Evans before the robbery and that there is no evidence that he received any of the money or items stolen from the drugstore, helping Steve’s appearance to the jurors.
13. The jury finds James King guilty and Steve Harmon innocent.
14. Steve’s screenplay never gives a definitive answer as to whether or not Steve had any involvement in the crime. It just shows his mother’s happiness and great relief that her son was declared “innocent.”

At the beginning of the novel, Steve is taken from the detention center to the courthouse where he meets his lawyer, Kathy O'Brien. She tells him he is on trial for felony murder and "you'd better take the trial very, very seriously."

The prosecutor, Pertrocelli, tells the court that Steve, along with James King and Richard Evans, participated in the robbery of a store and the subsequent murder of the store's owner, Mr. Nesbitt.

The novel flashes back to a scene where King is asking Steve for information about a place to rob.

O'Brien asks Steve about Osvaldo Cruz. A flashback shows the reader Cruz telling Steve he is a coward: "When the deal goes down, you won't be around."

Osvaldo tells the court that he participated in the robbery because he was afraid of Bobo, James King, and Steve.

When the court hands out pictures of Mr. Nesbitt after he was killed, Steve can feel O'Brien looking at him to check his reaction. It is the first time he realizes that she doesn't trust him.

Steve's father visits him in prison and tells him everything is going to be all right. Steve says it is the first time he ever saw his father cry.

In his notebook, dated Saturday, July 11th, Steve writes that Miss O'Brien "thinks I'm guilty."

Steve's mother visits him in jail. She gives him a Bible and says that she knows he is innocent.

Another flashback shows Steve talking to King in a park. King asks Steve if he wants to be their lookout.

Bobo tells the court that Steve was outside the store at the time of the robbery as their lookout.

Steve takes the stand. He tells his lawyer and the prosecutor that he did not act as the gang's lookout or discuss with anyone about being their lookout. He tells the court that, at the time of the robbery, he was walking around the neighborhood collecting notes for a film.

Steve's teacher, George Sawicki, testifies that Steve is an "outstanding young man."

The jury finds Steve not guilty. Upon hearing the verdict, Steve tries to hug his lawyer, but she moves away from him.

At the end of the novel, Steve writes that there is now a distance between him and his father.

1.  The novel opens showing Cell Block D of the Manhattan Detention Center with Steve Harmon on a cot listening to the sounds of the cell block at night.  He is obviously very scared.

2. Steve talks to his attorney, Kathy O'Brien, about the case. He asks her if they are going to win and she replies that it all depends on his definition of win.

3. Petrocelli (the prosecutor), O'Brien (Steve's lawyer), and Asa Briggs (King's attorney) all give their opening statements.

4. Petrocelli begins with the defense of the trial- calling Jose Delgado, Salvatore Zinzi, Wendell Bolden, Detective Karyl, Osvaldo Cruz, Dr. James Moody, Lorelle Henry, and Richard "Bobo" Evans as witnesses for the state.

5.  All defense lawyers cross-examine the witnesses called by the state prosecutor.

6.  Asa Briggs begins her defense.  She calls two witnesses: Dorothy Moore and George Nipping.

7.  Both Petrocelli and O'Brien cross examine King's defense witnesses.

8.  O'Brien calls Steve and his art teacher, Mr. Sawaski. They are both cross-examined by the other lawyers.

9. Throughout the novel, Steve questions himself as a person and a "monster".

10.  Limited perspectives of those around him are given showing the lack of apathy for those on trial.

11.  Steve has flashbacks to his life before the trial- time with friends, a conversation with King, and a moment with his brother where they talk about superheros.

12.  The lawyers present their closing statements trying to persuade the jury to find the men either innocent of guilty based upon specific side.

13.  Steve admits that the night before the verdict is given, he cannot sleep.  He thinks that if he closes his eyes he will die.

14.  James King is found guilty and sentenced to 25 years to life.

15. Steve Harmon is found innocent, his lawyer turns away from him when he goes to hug her, his father moves away, and Steve is left with the search to find out who he really is.