Judge Key presides over Walter’s original trial. He does not intervene in the State’s efforts to select an all-white jury and he collaborates with other state officials to secure Walter’s conviction. He calls Stevenson early in the book to discourage his participation in Walter’s appeal. He is distrusting of black people and outsiders.
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Judge Robert E. Lee Key Character Timeline in Just Mercy
The timeline below shows where the character Judge Robert E. Lee Key appears in Just Mercy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1: Mockingbird Players
...school and began working at the SPDC. One day, he receives a phone call from Judge Robert. E Lee Key . On hearing that the judge is named after the Confederate general, Stevenson is amused....
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Chapter 3: Trials and Tribulations
...bias, they were surprised when Ted Pearson supported their request and even more surprised when Judge Key approved it. Key moved Walter’s case to Baldwin County, the only nearby county with a...
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Chapter 5: Of the Coming of John
...Ronda’s death. Darnell explains that after Walter’s conviction, he had informed Chestnut and Boynton, but Judge Key had denied their motion for a new trial. Stevenson files a motion for the judge...
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...perjury charge against Darnell. Chapman says he will drop the perjury charges, informing Stevenson that Judge Key denied Stevenson’s motion for retrial anyway. Stevenson is outraged by Chapman’s disregard for upholding the...
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