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An Interactive Guide to a Novel by Walter Dean Myers Monster Click on the Screen to Read an Introduction to the Novel Click Here to Skip to the Courtroom
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An Interactive Guide to a Novel by

Walter Dean Myers

Monster

Click on the Screen to Read an Introduction to

the Novel

Click Here to Skip to the Courtroom

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IntroductionThe story takes place in Manhattan and

Harlem, which are both parts of New York City. Most of the story takes place in the Manhattan Detention Center and the courtroom. However, some of the protagonist’s, Steve Harmon memories and flashbacks take him to his neighborhood in Harlem.

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Main CharactersSteve Harmon - He is a sixteen year old young black

youth who has been arrested for acting as the look-out in robbery that goes bad and ends with the death of the store owner. Steve is the narrator for the story. He writes the story in the form of a screenplay interspersed with his own journal entries.

Kathy O’Brien - She is Steve’s defense attorney who uses his character traits before the crime and makes sure she distances him from the other defendants, specifically James King, as way of getting a not guilty verdict.

Sandra Petrocelli - She is the Assistant District Attorney who prosecutes the case against Steve and James King. She labels them “monsters.” She is a very serious prosecutor who does her best to make sure that all those who took part in the crime are held responsible for the death of the store owner.

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Supporting CharactersJames King – A young black man who is

older than Steve. He encourages Steve to be a part of his “crew” which will rob the drugstore. He is accused of being in the drugstore, wrestling Mr. Nesbitt for the gun, and ultimately shooting Mr. Nesbitt.

Asa Briggs – Defense attorney who represent James King.

Alguinaldo Nesbitt – The owner of a drugstore who is shot and killed during the December 22nd robbery.

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Witnesses Osvaldo Cruz – One of the four young men allegedly involved

in the December 22nd robbery. He is a member of the Diablos street gang, and he testifies against Steve Harmon and James King in order to get preferential treatment from the prosecutor.

Richard “Bobo” Evans – One of the four young men allegedly involved in the December 22nd robbery. He has an extensive criminal record which included breaking and entering, robbery, and manslaughter. He testifies against Steve Harmon and James King in order to get a reduced sentence. Miss O’Brien felt that his testimony hurt Steve’s case the most.

Jose Delgado – A young man who worked in the drugstore. He was not working in the store during the robbery, but he found Mr. Nesbitt’s body and notified the police.

Lorelle Henry – A retired librarian who was in the drugstore during the robbery. She saw two men commit the robbery, but she was only able to identify James King.

Mr. Sawicki – Steve Harmon’s teacher and film club sponsor. He testifies about Steve’s character.

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Plot Overview Click on the Image to View the Video Clip

In the novel, Steven Harmon, a young 16 year old black boy from Harlem, is charged with murder. His involvement in the crime was that he was allegedly the lookout during a robbery, but New York state law charges all those who conspired to commit a crime that results in a death with murder. So even though Steve never touched a gun, he can possibly face time in jail.

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Enter the Courthouse

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Trial ProcedureThe Opening of the Court

Either the Clerk of the Court or the judge will call the Court to order.

When the judge enters, all the participants should remain standing until the judge is seated.

The case will be announced, i.e., “The Court will now hear the case of The State of New York vs. Steven Harmon.”

The plea of innocent or guilty is taken care of at the arraignment.

Click on the Screen to Continue

through the Trial Process

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Trial ProcedureOpening Statements

Prosecution/ProsecutorThe prosecutor in a

criminal case summarizes the evidence which will be presented to prove the case.

Defense/DefendantThe defendant’s

attorney in a criminal case summarizes the evidence which will be presented to rebut the case the prosecution has made.

Click Here to Return to the

Beginning of Trial Procedure

Click on the Screen to Continue through the Trial

Process

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Trial ProcedureProsecution’s Case

The prosecutor calls witnesses first to build a case against the defendant.

The prosecutor is able to ask questions to the witnesses first, then the defense attorney is allowed to ask questions.

The prosecutor can call as many witnesses as he or she feels is necessary to prove his or her case against the defendant.

Click on the Screen to Continue through the Trial

Process

Click Here to Return to the

Beginning of Trial Procedure

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Trial ProcedureDefense’s Case

After the attorney for the prosecution has completed the calling of witnesses, the judge then allows the defense attorney to call witnesses to the stand.

The defense attorney is allowed to call witnesses first, then the prosecutor is allowed to cross-examine each witness.

The defense attorney can call as many witnesses as he or she feels is necessary to provide reasonable doubt for the defendant.

Click on the Screen to Continue through the Trial

Process

Click Here to Return to the

Beginning of Trial Procedure

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Trial ProcedureClosing Statements

Prosecution: The closing argument is a review of the evidence presented to the jury. It should indicate how the evidence has satisfied the elements of the charge, point out the law applicable to the case, and ask for a favorable verdict.

Defense: The closing argument for the defense is essentially the same as for the prosecution. Defense attorneys for the

Click on the Screen to Continue through the Trial

Process

Click Here to Return to the

Beginning of Trial Procedure

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Trial ProcedureThe Verdict

Once the closing statements are finished, the jury leaves the courtroom to deliberate.

Once the jury is finished deliberating, they return to the court and render the verdict, which in a criminal trial is either guilty or not guilty.

If the jury cannot come to a unanimous decision, then a mistrial is declared and a new trial is begun with a new jury.

Click on the Screen to Continue through the Trial

Process

Click Here to Return to the

Beginning of Trial Procedure

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Steve’s VerdictAt the conclusion of the

novel, Steve Harmon is found not guilty.

Ms. O’Brien, Steve’s attorney was able to provide reasonable doubt to cause the jury to doubt Steve’s involvement in the crime.

James King was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Click on the Screen to Continue to the Courtroom

Diagram and Videos

Click Here to Return to the

Beginning of Trial Procedure

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The CourtroomClick on an Area to See a Video that will

Help in Understanding Criminal Trial Procedure

Jury Box

Judge’s BenchWitnes

s Stand

Table for the

Prosecution

Table for the

Defense

Opening Stateme

nts

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A Few Good MenIn the movie, “A Few Good

Men”, two young marines find themselves in the same position as Steve Harmon. They too have been charged with murder and they claim to be innocent. Just like Ms. O’Brien, it will be up to the defense attorney to provide reasonable doubt to a jury.

As you watch the clips, try to find the similarities between the two murder trials.

Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos

of Trial Procedure

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A Few Good Men

The Arraignment – Click on the Image to View the Video ClipAt the beginning of each trial, the defendant is brought before

the judge and given a chance to make a plea. The defendant can plead

guilty or not guilty. A plea of not guilty leads to a trial by jury. Steve Harmon pled not guilty and took his chance with a jury’s decision.

The two marines in the movie also plead not guilty at the arraignment, which can be seen in the video clip.

Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos of

Trial Procedure

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A Few Good Men

Opening Statements- Click on the Image to View the Video Clip Each attorney in a criminal trial has an opportunity to introduce his or her case to

the jury. The prosecutor in a criminal case summarizes the evidence which will be presented

to prove the guilt of the defendant, and the defense attorney in a criminal case summarizes the evidence which will be presented to rebut the case the prosecution has made.

In this scene, the lawyers try to convince the jury to believe in their side of the case.

Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos of

Trial Procedure

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A Few Good Men

The Witness Stand – Click on the Image to View the Video ClipWhen witnesses are called to testify, they must testify from the witness stand.Witnesses are sworn to tell the truth, and then they are asked questions by both

the prosecution and the defense attorneys. In this scene the witness is asked about his knowledge of events that led to the

death of a young marine. Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos of

Trial Procedure

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A Few Good Men

Witnesses for the Prosecution The prosecutor calls witnesses first to build a case against the

defendant.The prosecutor is able to ask questions to the witnesses first, then

the defense attorney is allowed to ask questions.The prosecutor can call as many witnesses as he or she feels is

necessary to prove his or her case against the defendant. In this scene a doctor is questioned about the technical details that

may help to explain the young marine’s death. Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos of

Trial Procedure

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A Few Good Men

Witnesses for the Defense - Click on the Image to View the Video ClipAfter the attorney for the prosecution has completed the calling of

witnesses, the judge then allows the defense attorney to call witnesses to the stand.

The defense attorney is allowed to call witnesses first, then the prosecutor is allowed to cross-examine each witness.

The defense attorney can call as many witnesses as he or she feels is necessary to provide reasonable doubt for the defendant.

In this scene, notice how both lawyers take turns asking questions to the witness. This is an example of cross examination.

Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos of

Trial Procedure

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A Few Good Men

The Verdict – Click on the Image to View the Video Clip When all witnesses are called and no new evidence is left, the jury leaves the

courtroom to deliberate. Once the jury is finished deliberating, they return to the court and render the

verdict, which in a criminal trial is either guilty or not guilty. If the defendant(s) is found guilty they are immediately taken into custody. If

they are found not guilty then they are free to go. In this scene, notice how there are multiple charges against the two marines. A

jury has to make a decision on each separate charge.

Click Here to Return to the

Courtroom Diagram

Click on the Screen to Continue Viewing Videos of

Trial Procedure

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Walter Dean Myers Biography Walter Dean Myers is a writer of children's and

young adult literature. Walter Dean Myers was born in West Virginia in 1937 but spent most of his childhood and young adult life in Harlem. He was raised by foster parents and remembers a happy but tumultuous life while going through his own teen years. Suffering with a speech impediment, he cultivated a habit of writing poetry and short stories and acquired an early love of reading.

In 1954 he quit high school and joined the army. He later held many positions with various agencies including the New York State Department of Labor, the post office, a rehabilitation center and a transformer company. All during this time, Mr. Myers was writing for various magazines and periodicals. The turning point in his career came when he won a contest run by the Council on Interracial Books for Children with his book Where Does a Day Go? in 1969. Since then he has supported himself, his second wife, and four children with his very prolific writing in the area of children's and young adult literature. He volunteers at schools in Jersey City where is presently lives. He received his degree from Empire State College in 1984.

To read more about Walter Dean Myers and his writing go to the Walter Dean Myers Website