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Racial discrimination in the criminal justice system
Racial discrimination in the criminal justice system
Racial discrimination in the criminal justice system
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In the book, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, Steve didn't act as a lookout for King and Bobo. On page 177, Bobo said, “Me and King planned out a get over and we done it.” According to Bobo’s words, he didn't mention Steve’s name, which proves that Steve didn't plan to rob a drugstore with King and Bobo. For example, as stated on page 182, Petrocelli is having a conversation with Bobo, “You said you received a sign from Mr. Harmon. Can you tell me what that sign was?”
The title of the novel Monster, illustrated by Walter Dean Myers, the main character Steve Harmon a 16-year old African-American male. That shows a lot of conflicts that he goes through the novel, the theme of the novel is that this character Steve Harmon goes through rough moment in jail and letting himself down for that. He learns this lesson when Osvaldo was lying in court so, then they thought, the people who defend Steve Harmon, O’Brien thought that everything Osvaldo said was lies. In Page 106 When they ask him if he used to be in a gang, he lies about it says that he wasn't part of no gang then, osvaldo said the information I got right here says that you were a part of a gang call Los Diablos or this
Innocent Until Proven Guilty Steve Harmon, the young teen and narrator in Monster was on trial for felony murder. This innocent sixteen year old was accused of being an accomplice in the robbery and death of Mr. Nesbitt. His supposed job was to be a look out for the criminals Bobo and King. Prior to them entering Mr. Nesbitts drugstore robbing and killing him in cold blood. Although there are some that doubt his innocence the verdict of Steve’s future was rightfully not guilty.
While there are multiple pieces of evidence which try to portray Steven as guilty, there are countless more pieces that prove him innocent. After knowing about the mysterious blood found is Halbach’s car and the undeniable fact that Andrew Colbourn knew about the site of the victim’s vehicle before it was found by the search party. Subsequently, the very unreliable James Lenk found they keys and the reality that Steven was the only suspect investigated. This evidence should be raising some questions in your mind; ‘How can an innocent man be punished for a crime he so undoubtedly didn’t
Steve Harmon, a fifteen year old , was charged with robbery and murder but did not do it. As a member of the film club, Steve Harmon is charged with these offenses in the novel Monster. The owner of a drug store was shot and killed, and Harmon is being investigated. However, he is innocent because the state's witnesses are untrustworthy, there is no evidence he was present, and he never finished his claimed assignment. All of this demonstrates that Steve Harmon is not guilty.
It means that Steve wasn’t guilty and he is still innocent because there wasn’t enough evidence. Steve is innocent until there is enough evidence to prove him guilty. The author wrote, ‘“He is innocent until proven guilty.”’ (Myers 26-27). He is not guilty because he didn’t go into the store that day.
A 16 year old is on trial for a murder and he could receive 25 years to life in prison. I could tell you that he is guilty or not guilty, but you have to decide whether he is guilty or innocent with the evidence I provide to you. A 16 year old African- American, Steve Harmon, is guilty of the murder of Mr. Nesbitt. Steve Harmon is on trial for the murder of 55 year old Aguinaldo Nesbitt and Steve could possibly receive 25 years to life in prison. Steve said he did not kill Mr. Nesbitt.
If you were blamed for a crime you didn’t do, would you let that accusation go and let it tarnish your reputation? Would you let it fly by and have others judge from every angle? No, right? Normally people who get accused of crimes demand justice as they know they did not commit the crime and only justice can give them the freedom they deserve. But let’s look at Steve Harmon, the main character from the book Monster by Walter Dean Myers who was on trial for murder.
There is a perception that because Steve was young and black, in the eyes of the jury, he was “more likely” to have committed the crime. The jurors would’ve thought he was guilty and had to be involved because of his skin color. There is also the sense that if he had been arrested, he had to do it, because policemen and prosecution witnesses wouldn’t lie. Granted this, they say that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but in the eyes of jurors, Steve Harmon seemed to be guilty until proven innocent. Though in reality, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and was quick to be punished because he was thought to be a
The Zodiac was once a mixed psychopathic serial killer. He tormented the San Francisco Bay area through several random violent killings in the 1960's and 70's while never been caught either. The Zodiac killer also taunted the police force, with cryptograms and phone calls informing them of recent killings. The police have investigated and interviewed thousands of suspects. The police still get many tips every year about the true identity of the Zodiac killer.
Perceptions from others can be cruel. Criminals are often thought of negatively by themselves and are also disrespected by others in society. The novel Monster presents the impressions people have about Steve Harmon, an accused criminal on trial for robbery and murder. Furthermore, the text explains Steve’s views of himself during and after time in prison from first person point-of-view. The novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers highlights the various perceptions that exist about an accused criminal.
It is natural for people to categorize and judge others. In terms of judgement, people often rely on different ideas and stereotypes that affect their opinions and may twist their perceptions of justice and how it should be dealt. In the books, Monster by Walter Dean Myers and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, justice is heavily influenced by prejudice demonstrated by people judging others based on race, wealth, and social group stereotypes. Initially, the idea of justice is affected by racial stereotypes and prejudice.
Steve’s judgment of his actions is similar to a pendulum swinging. Although Steve believes within himself that he is innocent, of the important people around him, make him insecure as to the degree of his innocence and turn to others for confirmation. Steve Harmon, the defendant, is faced with an internal conflict that questions his self-identity and his character in relation to the crime.
I made a mistake, or rather a terrible decision. I created a horrendous creature, no MONSTER, with an awful appearance that would horrify anybody and everybody. Not only did it give me nightmares and an illness, BUT IT WAS INESCAPABLE. IT WAS EVERYWHERE AND WOULD APPEAR AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. Torturing me did not satisfy the monster’s needs, it made MY family another target.
Before the trial, Steve is already scared of what the outcome is and how he might spend his whole life in jail and starts doubting his chances of being found not guilty. During the trial, Steve starts hearing the things the prosecutor is saying and sees the people who are testifying against him, which is already not putting him in a good state of mind, and this combines with him seeing his father who looks very scared of Steve, and this all gives Steve disappointment. After the trial, Steve is found not guilty and gets to return home and we next hear from him five months later where we see his father had left him and that Steve doesn’t even know who he is, which shows that he feels damaged. With all of this in mind, we can see that Steve, a dark-skinned, sixteen-year-old boy, has gone through a change from being afraid to feeling lost with himself through doubt, disappointment, and damage. Image how other people feel in
