James King and Steve Harmon are both young African American men who were involved in the robbery and murder of Aguinaldo Nesbitt. They both live in the same neighborhood and know the same people. Richard "Bobo" Evans and Osvaldo Cruz both testify that James and Steve had specific roles in the robbery. James and Steve also have attorneys who try desperately to prove the prosecuting attorney, Sandra Petrocelli, wrong throughout the trial. Despite the many similarities between James and Steve's environment and situation, their personalities differ significantly. James is a callous thug who lacks morals and tries to intimate others. Steve is a conscientious young man who is sensitive and introspective. Steve also values education, has a positive reputation, and a bright future. In contrast, James King is a selfish person who is willing to break laws and murder people to get what he wants. At the end of the novel, James King is found guilty and sentenced to twenty-five years to life, while Steve is found not guilty.