Monster is an interesting book to choose events from because it is mostly told in the format of a screenplay. Readers are reading a script. Consequently, most of what is written down could be considered major and important. A screenplay is always limited in order to give audiences as densely packed of a story as possible.
It is up to you to pick which ten events you believe should make the list, but I would include each opening statement made by the lawyers. I would include each closing statement made by each lawyer too. Pick at least one flashback that Steve tells readers about. I like the one that has Steve and his friend throwing rocks. Choose the trial result where Steve is found not guilty, and I would also include Steve taking the stand in my list.
If Steve taking the stand makes the list, then I would include the sequence that shows his lawyer preparing him for the stand. You might think about including one of his conversations with King about ways to get money. Finally, I would include one of the times that Steve is in his cell thinking about how scared he is of prison and the people around him.
1. Bobo Evans and James King allegedly hold up a drugstore on December 22nd, at approximately 4 p.m., leading to the shooting death of the drugstore owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt.
2. After the incident, a detective comes to the house of Steven Harmon, 16, and takes him into custody on suspicions that he assisted the men in planning the robbery.
3. Harmon, an active member in his school's film club, decides to document his experiences at trial and in jail through journaling, photos, video, and a screenplay.
4. At the start of the trial, Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor, makes the state's case against King and Harmon. The witnesses make the two suspects look guilty and like monsters.
5. Asa Briggs and Kathy O'Brien, the defense attorneys, cross-examine witnesses to raise doubts about their accuracy and sincerity. They lean heavily on the fact that the witnesses provided testimony in exchange for plea bargains.
6. Harmon's father comes to visit him in jail; Harmon feels his father's distance and wonders what his family and his own attorney really think of him.
7. Petrocelli interviews Evans, who says that he understood through King that Harmon's role was to make sure the coast was clear before they went through with their plan.
8. O'Brien convinces Harmon to take the stand in his own defense to separate himself from King in the eyes of the jury. Harmon's film club teacher testifies that Harmon was a good kid, based on his ability to capture the truth of humanity on film.
9. King is found guilty; Harmon is acquitted. He is so relieved that he attempts to hug his attorney; however, her resistance shows that she is still unsure of his innocence.
10. Harmon tries to return to his normal life, continuing to film himself and figure out who he really is. Is he really a monster as they say?
Richard Evans and James King entered a drugstore and robbed it.
Steve Harmon, a sixteen-year-old boy, is on trial for possibly being involved in the drugstore robbery.
Steve, along with Peaches, is present during the planning of the robbery but doesn't contribute any ideas to it.
Alguinaldo Nesbitt was killed with his own gun while trying to defend his store.
While awaiting trial, Steve is imprisoned with Osvaldo Cruz and wonders if he is actually innocent.
Steve is called a monster by Assistant District Attorney Sandra Petrocelli during her opening statement.
Lorelle Henry, a retired teacher who was present during the incident, accuses King but her eyewitness testimony is called into question by police procedures and defense attorneys.
King is found guilty.
Steve is found innocent.
He goes to hug his defense attorney but is dismissed, implying that she is not entirely convinced of the verdict.
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