Chapter 9 Summary: Tuesday, July 14
The defense attorneys begin to make their case. Briggs interviews his first witness, Dorothy Moore. Moore swears before the court that King was with her on the day of the trial. However, Petrocelli’s cross-examination suggests that she is lying. Moore claims that King brought her a lamp but she has since lost it because it broke. Upon further interrogation, it seems that she and King do not spend a great deal of time together, which makes it unlikely that he was in fact at her place when the robbery took place. Briggs’ second witness is George Nipping, who testifies that King is left-handed. However, even O’Brien dismisses the testimony as a weak argument.
The film cuts to an interior where O’Brien is preparing her client to testify. Steve will need to testify to distance himself from James King, who cannot testify because he lied to the police in his deposition and the prosecutor can use that against him. O’Brien puts a cup on the table and begins to ask Steve questions. If he answers correctly, she leaves the cup face up. If he answers incorrectly, she turns the cup over. Her goal is to help Steve learn how to answer questions so it will seem that his connection to James King and the other robbers is tenuous.
In his testimony, Harmon responds that he cannot firmly recall very much about the day of the robbery. Because his connection to James King and the other robbers is tenuous, he cannot say for sure when he last saw any of them. He explains that it was not a day of importance to him, and when the prosecution pushes him to answer what he was doing, he explains that he was going around town taking mental notes about places he wanted to film for his school film project. George Sawicki, the teacher in charge of the film club at Steve’s school, supports Steve’s claims when he testifies that he thinks Steve is a good kid.
Briggs, O’Brien, and Petrocelli give their closing arguments. Briggs again highlights that the prosecution’s case is built on the evidence of the monsters from which the prosecution claims to want to protect society. O’Brien emphasizes that it is very ambiguous whether Harmon was actually involved in the case; she slowly lays out and deconstructs the evidence against her client. Finally, Petrocelli speaks, and she convincingly argues that King and Harmon were both involved. She also goes on to explain that although Harmon did not pull the trigger of the gun that killed Mr. Alguinaldo Nesbitt, the law demands that he be tried for felony murder as an accomplice to the assault. After all, if he was indeed involved, his actions led to the robbery that led to Nesbitt’s murder.
Expert Q&A
What does Steve testify he was doing during the robbery in Monster, and how does this contrast with his journal and flashbacks?
Steve testifies he was scouting film locations during the robbery, denying involvement. However, his journal reveals he was in the drugstore just before the robbery, contradicting his testimony. Surveillance images confirm his presence, and flashbacks suggest he might have been a lookout but changed his mind. Although Steve's actions are ambiguous, his fear and avoidance of discussing the crime suggest internal conflict rather than clear guilt or innocence.
What is George Nipping's testimony in Monster?
In Monster, George Nipping testifies that he once bought a left-handed glove for James King to suggest King couldn't have shot the victim with his right hand. However, the district attorney undermines this by pointing out that Nipping has never seen King shoot a gun, rendering his testimony ineffective.
Did Steve Harmon participate in the robbery in Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
Steve Harmon’s role in the robbery in Monster by Walter Dean Myers was allegedly to act as a lookout and signal if the coast was clear. While Richard "Bobo" Evans and Osvaldo Cruz testified to his involvement, Steve denied participating and claimed he was only in the drugstore for mints. Ultimately, the jury found him not guilty, leaving his true involvement ambiguous.
Why is Lorelle Henry considered a star witness in Monster?
In Monster, Lorelle Henry is a star witness because she has a clean record, was the only eyewitness of the crime, and is able to identify James King as one of the perpetrators. Her testimony is crucial to the prosecution's case and holds weight because she is an upstanding citizen and a conscientious Black woman.
Why does O'Brien want Steve to testify in Monster?
O'Brien wants Steve to testify so that he can show that he has nothing to hide, create distance between himself and the other people on trial, and prove his innocence. O'Brien knows that Steve gets good grades and has no criminal record. Her best chance of proving his innocence is to have Steve testify and act like himself. She is aware of the justice system's prejudice but hopes that Steve can improve his perception among the jurors.
What is Steve's perception of Bobo Evans in Monster?
Steve perceives Bobo Evans as a threat due to his testimony, which endangers Steve's freedom during the trial. Although Steve does not have strong feelings toward Bobo and only met him briefly before the robbery, he views him as a heartless, selfish criminal similar to James King. Steve regrets associating with Bobo and wishes to distance himself from him to secure an acquittal, ultimately being found not guilty.
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