Summary Of Walter Dean Myers 'Monster'

The issue of racial injustice in the American court system is a significant concern. Statistics show that 48% of people serving life imprisonment are black due to discrimination and racial profiling. Walter Dean Myers’ novel “Monster”, addresses this dispute effectively. The book explores the injustice of the court system and racial labeling. The novel delves into the life of 16-year-old Steve Harmon, on trial for his alleged involvement in the murder of a drugstore owner. Throughout the book, Steve grapples with being unfairly labeled by the prosecution, leading him to question his identity. By the end, the final verdict declares Harmon innocent. The appropriate acquittal of Steve is completely justified down to the lack of crucial evidence and faulty witnesses. A significant aspect of this case is the

Richard “Bobo” Evans is another witness who testifies on false altruism. Evans testifies solely on the fact that he may get a lighter sentence for previous crimes, including drug distribution. When on the stand, Briggs highlights him as unsympathetic and emphasizes to the jury that he is the only one in the room who admits to being in the robbery. Briggs says to Bobo on page 187, “You’re the dope dealer and the thief who could see a man killed and then go over to a fast-food place and have a nice meal. That’s who you are, right?”...then again on page 188 “As far as this jury knows, you are the only man who admits being in the drugstore when Mr. Nesbitt was killed. You admitted to planning the robbery. You also admitted to taking the cigarettes, and you admitted to being there when Mr. Nesbitt was lying on the floor of the store he had worked so hard for. But now you blame somebody else for the killing to get a break for yourself, isn’t that right?” Briggs brings up the fact that Bobo can kill someone and then eat without any remorse, completely exposing his lack of empathy and