In Walter Dean Myers's story Monster, Steve Harmon is a sixteen-year-old adolescent on trial for the robbery and murder of a local drugstore owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt. Throughout the story, Steve Harmon's innocence is ambiguous, and the reader wonders whether or not Steve actually participated in the crime. During the trial, Steve's lawyer, Ms. O’Brien, attempts to distance him from James King, Bobo Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz, who participated in the crime. On Tuesday, July 14th, Steve Harmon takes the witness stand to testify. After Steve testifies that he was not anywhere near the drugstore on the day of the robbery, each lawyer makes their closing arguments.

After the lawyers make their closing arguments, Steve Harmon and James King are taken back to prison while the jury deliberates. On Friday afternoon, July 17th, Steve writes in his journal and mentions that he cannot stop thinking about the upcoming verdict. Steve's case completely consumes him, and he begins thinking about his appeal if he is found guilty. In addition to contemplating his appeal, Steve also thinks about his movie script and the life decisions he has made.

The following morning, O'Brien informs Steve that they have just received the verdict, which means that the jury has been deliberating for five days. They began deliberating after the closing arguments on Tuesday and came to a decision on Saturday morning. Over the course of five days, Steve has been thinking about his life decisions and possible appeal. Fortunately, Steve Harmon is found not guilty.