O'Brien believes that it is imperative for Steve to testify so that he can distance himself from James King, Osvaldo Cruz, and Richard Evans and prove that he is a good-natured, kind teenager who would never participate in such an awful crime. O'Brien understands the prejudices of the justice system and fears that Steve will be associated with the other criminals because he is a young black man. She also knows that Steve is a completely different type of person than the individuals on trial. He has no prior records, is a soft-spoken adolescent, and gets good grades.

Kathy O'Brien is confident that Steve can create distance and remove himself from the other criminals by testifying. She also knows that Steve's testimony will prove that he has nothing to hide. Unlike James King, who has no intention of taking the witness stand, Steve plans on answering the prosecutor's questions with ease to prove his innocence. Before Steve takes the witness stand, O'Brien tests him by asking him several relevant questions that the prosecutor will ask. O'Brien also corrects Steve's responses and guides him to provide the appropriate answers.

Although Steve does not want to testify, he follows O'Brien's advice and takes the witness stand. Steve answers coherently, has a believable alibi, and portrays himself as a good-natured student who is wrongly accused of a heinous crime. Steve's testimony is a success, and he is found not guilty.