Just Mercy

Just Mercy

by

Bryan Stevenson

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Bryan Stevenson

Stevenson is the author, narrator, and protagonist of the book. He was born in a poor African American community in rural Delaware, attended Harvard Law School, and founded (with his friend Eva Ansley) the… read analysis of Bryan Stevenson

Walter McMillian

Walter’s legal case serves as the central storyline of the book. Born to a poor black family outside of Monroeville, Alabama, Walter became a successful small businessman as an adult. He had a large, tight-knit… read analysis of Walter McMillian

Ralph Myers

Ralph Myers is the man whose false accusation sends Walter to death row. Born to a poor, white, Southern family, Myers suffers from trauma-related psychological issues. Considered a low-life in Monroeville, Myers uses fantastical stories… read analysis of Ralph Myers

Steve Bright

Steven Bright is the director of the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee, an advocacy organization where Stevenson has an internship during law school and then works following his graduation. Steve is a mentor and inspiration… read analysis of Steve Bright

Henry

Henry is the very first inmate Stevenson meets on death row, and their encounter is transformative for Stevenson. Henry is a young black man, about Stevenson’s age, who has a wife and kids. Henry treats… read analysis of Henry
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Stevenson’s grandmother

As a child, Stevenson is especially close with his grandmother, who powerfully influenced his views toward the world and people. In particular, his grandmother is the source of the important advice that, in order to… read analysis of Stevenson’s grandmother

Judge Robert E. Lee Key

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 Stevensonread analysis of Judge Robert E. Lee Key

Harper Lee

Harper Lee is the author of To Kill A Mockingbird. She was born in Monroe County (where Walter is from and was tried), and the county continues to proudly associate itself with her fame… read analysis of Harper Lee

Minnie McMillian

Minnie is Walter McMillian’s wife. Like Walter, she is from the poor black community just outside of Monroeville. She is resilient, patient, intelligent and hospitable. She supports and cares for her five children during Walter’s… read analysis of Minnie McMillian

Karen Kelly

Karen Kelly is the younger white woman from Monroeville who has an affair with Walter prior to his conviction. The public scandal of their interracial affair defames Walter and infuriates some white residents of Monroeville… read analysis of Karen Kelly

Ronda Morrison

Ronda Morrison was the young adult daughter of an influential local white family in Monroeville. On November 1st, 1986, Ronda was found murdered at her workplace, Monroe Cleaners. The white community is baffled… read analysis of Ronda Morrison

Sheriff Tom Tate

Tate is the sheriff of Monroeville at the time of Ronda’s murder. He is the most active participant in police and State efforts to suppress evidence in order to illegally convict Walter. Tate… read analysis of Sheriff Tom Tate

Vickie Pittman

Vickie Pittman was the woman murdered in Escambia County near the time of Ronda Morrison’s murder. Born to a poor, white, rural family, Vickie was beloved by her aunts, Onzelle and Mozelle. Due… read analysis of Vickie Pittman

The older man in the wheelchair

After Stevenson’s experience of racial profiling, he gives a speech in a rural Alabama church. The older man in the wheelchair advises him to “keep beating the drum for justice.” The old man is… read analysis of The older man in the wheelchair

Simon Benson

Benson is the ABI Investigator on Walter’s case. He works with Sherriff Tate and Larry Ikner to coerce Ralph Myers’ testimony and suppress evidence to secure Walter’s conviction. When the State finally launches a… read analysis of Simon Benson

J.L. Chestnut and Bruce Boynton

Chestnut and Boynton are the attorneys who are hired by Walter’s family to defend him during his original trials. Though they have a history of civil rights litigation, they fail to effectively investigate State and… read analysis of J.L. Chestnut and Bruce Boynton

District Attorney Ted Pearson

Pearson is the state prosecutor at the time of Walter’s indictment. He cooperates with police to suppress evidence and works with the courts to secure an all-white jury in Walter’s case. Stevenson speculates that… read analysis of District Attorney Ted Pearson

Michael Lindsey

Lindsey is one of the first men Stevenson represents after founding EJI. Lindsey was given a life sentence by the jury, but it was overridden by a judge who insisted on a death sentence… read analysis of Michael Lindsey

Herbert Richardson

The first execution that Stevenson witnesses is that of Herbert Richardson. Herbert is war veteran with a history of trauma and psychological health problems. He was charged with capital murder and sentenced to death after… read analysis of Herbert Richardson

District Attorney Tom Chapman

Chapman replaces Ted Pearson as the District Attorney for Monroe County. Unlike Pearson, he has a history of working as a public defender. He initially defends the State’s conviction of Walter McMillian and opposes EJIread analysis of District Attorney Tom Chapman

Charlie

Charlie is the smart and well-behaved fourteen-year-old boy convicted of murdering his mother’s abusive boyfriend, George. He is sent to an adult jail, where he is repeatedly raped by other inmates. When Stevenson discovers… read analysis of Charlie

Ian Manuel

Manuel is a young man from Florida who is convicted of assault and sentenced as a juvenile to life in prison. Because of his age, he is kept in solitary confinement. He develops psychological health… read analysis of Ian Manuel

Antonio Núñez

Antonio is a young man in California who was sentenced to life in prison as a teenager for a non-homicide crime in which nobody was injured. Antonio’s history involves family and neighborhood violence, including the… read analysis of Antonio Núñez

Trina Garrett

Trina was a homeless teenage girl in the 1970’s when she was convicted of murder. She unintentionally set her friend’s house on fire after breaking and entering, and two people died in the fire. Trina… read analysis of Trina Garrett

George Stinney

George Stinney was a fourteen-year-old African American boy executed in South Carolina in the 1930’s. George helped a search party look for two missing white girls and was later falsely arrested for their murders. Decades… read analysis of George Stinney

Mrs. Williams

Ms. Williams is a respected elderly woman from the black community in Monroeville. Her presence at Walter’s Rule 32 hearing is significant because of her long history of involvement with civil rights battles. Having… read analysis of Mrs. Williams

George Daniel

George is a man who suffered debilitating brain injuries related to a car accident. He is convicted of murder after an altercation with police that led to the death of an officer. George’s trial lawyers… read analysis of George Daniel

“The white guard”

This is an unnamed guard at the prison where Avery Jenkins is held on death row. Initially, he tries to intimidate Stevenson by drawing attention to the Confederate symbols on his truck and by forcing… read analysis of “The white guard”

Marsha Colbey

Marsha is the poor white Alabama woman convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison after giving birth to a stillborn baby. The hard-working mother of six other children, Marsha was unable to afford… read analysis of Marsha Colbey

Joe Sullivan

Joe Sullivan was a thirteen-year-old convicted of rape and sentenced to life in an adult prison in Florida. Joe maintained that he had robbed but not raped his victim. Joe, who had suffered childhood abuse… read analysis of Joe Sullivan

Anthony Ray Hinton

Mr. Hinton was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the 1980’s. He served over 30 years in solitary confinement. Stevenson describes him as “clearly innocent” due to his alibi and the lack of… read analysis of Anthony Ray Hinton
Minor Characters
Eva Ansley
Eva Ansley is Stevenson’s friend and the Operations Director at the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). She helps him to found EJI in 1989, despite struggles with securing space and funding. From EJI’s beginning, she manages many financial and logistical setbacks. She is creative and persistent.
Russell Charley
Russell Charley was a black man and friend of Walter’s family. He was lynched in a community near Monroeville following suspicions of an interracial romance. Walter was a child when Russell was killed, and his death had a strong impact on Walter.
Charlie Bliss
Charlie Bliss is one of Stevenson’s friends from Harvard Law School. Described as a “white kid from North Carolina,” Charlie is supportive of Stevenson and shares Stevenson’s indignation at the injustices in the world. They become roommates in Atlanta before Stevenson moves to Montgomery.
Larry Ikner
Ikner is the District Attorney Investigator on Walter’s case. He works with Sherriff Tate and Simon Benson to force Ralph Myers to testify against Walter. Along with Tate and Benson, he plays a crucial role in suppressing evidence and using bribery to secure Walter’s conviction.
Bill Hooks
Hooks is a black man who is bribed to corroborate Myers’ testimony against Walter. Sherriff Tate offers to arrange an early release for Hooks if he can testify that he saw Walter’s truck at Monroe Cleaners at the time of Ronda’s death. Hooks later recants his false testimony.
Ernest Welch
Welch is a furniture salesman in Monroeville and Ronda Morrison’s uncle. He visits Walter’s house on business on the morning of Ronda’s Morrison’s death. However, during Walter’s trial, Ernest claims that he visited Walter’s home on a different day.
Russ Canan
Canan is the SPDC lawyer who represented John Evans, a man executed at Holman Prison shortly before Walter’s arrival on Holman’s death row.
John Evans
John Evans is the man executed at Holman Prison shortly before Walter’s arrival on death row. Due to a malfunctioning electric chair, it takes three attempts for officials to finally kill Evans, resulting in a long, painful death.
Wayne Ritter
Ritter is a man who is executed on Holman’s death row during Myers’ and Walter’s time there. Ritter’s execution has a profound effect on Myers’s unstable mental health. After Ritter’s execution, Myers gives into pressure from the state to testify against Walter in exchange for release from death row.
Joe Hightower
Hightower is a white man who is bribed to testify against Walter by corroborating Bill Hook’s testimony that Walter’s truck was outside Monroe Cleaners on the day of Ronda’s death. Prior to the trial, Walter had never seen or met Hightower. Years later, Hightower recants his false testimony.
David Bagwell
Bagwell is the volunteer lawyer for Wayne Ritter, the man executed at Holman. After Ritter’s death, Bagwell publishes a widely-circulated article discouraging attorneys from representing death row inmates and declaring his own support for the death penalty. After Bagwell’s article, death row inmates have more trouble securing legal aid.
Horace Dunkins
Dunkins is another one of the men Stevenson represents soon after founding EJI. Despite being mentally retarded, Dunkins is denied his late-stage appeals. After his botched execution, his body is autopsied despite protests from his religious family.
Governor Guy Hunt
Hunt was the governor of Alabama from 1987 to 1993. In the book, Hunt denies to stay several executions of EJI clients.
Herbert’s wife
Herbert Richardson forms a correspondence with a woman during his time on death row, and they get married shortly before his execution. She and her family visit him before his death, and she refuses to let go of him.
Doris
Doris was the receptionist at EJI during the late 1980’s. She is mentioned for her help in the case of Herbert Richardson.
Armelia
Armelia is the sister of Walter McMillian. She and Walter are close, and she fights alongside the rest of Walter’s family to seek his release.
Jackie McMillian
Jackie is the daughter of Walter and Minnie McMillian. Her parents, who work to support her through college, are deeply proud of her accomplishments.
W.E.B. Du Bois
Du Bois was a famous African-American writer and activist who portrayed the realities of black communities from the post-Reconstruction period through the early Civil Rights era.
John
John is the protagonist in the W.E.B. Du Bois short story “Of The Coming of John.”
Sam Crook
Crook is an eccentric, outspoken member of the local white community. He is a self-proclaimed son of Confederates who offers his support for EJI’s efforts to exonerate Walter.
Darnell Houston
Darnell was a co-worker of Bill Hooks. He contacts Stevenson with information that disproves Hook’s testimony against Walter. Shortly after, the new District Attorney Tom Chapman retaliates against Darnell by charging him with perjury.
Charlie’s Grandmother
Charlie’s grandmother contacts EJI, begging them to help her fourteen-year-old grandson, Charlie.
Charlie’s Mother
Charlie’s mother is abused by her boyfriend, George. She is very close to her son, who is, in turn, very protective of her. George almost beats Charlie’s mother to death on the night that Charlie kills him.
George
George is the abusive boyfriend of Charlie’s mother. He is a police officer who frequently abuses alcohol. Charlie kills him.
Mr. and Mrs. Jennings
The Jenningses are a rural white couple who lost their only grandchild to suicide. They reach out to Charlie after hearing his story from Stevenson. They befriend Charlie and his family and offer to give Charlie the money they had saved for their late grandson’s college education.
Chief Judge John Patterson
Patterson is the former KKK-backed governor of Alabama, famous for actively opposing the Civil Rights Movement and resisting de-segregation. He serves as Chief Judge of the Appellate Court at the time when Stevenson files a direct appeal on Walter’s behalf.
Michael O’Connor
Michael is Stevenson’s first co-counselor in Walter’s case. The son of Irish immigrants, he has a rough background and is a recovering heroin addict. Stevenson sees Michael’s background as an asset in their work. Michael is humble and shares Stevenson’s passion for justice.
Mozelle and Onzelle
Vickie Pittman’s twin aunts, Mozelle and Onzelle are described as outspoken, straightforward rural white women. They were very close to their niece and angered by her murder. They are very hospitable toward Stevenson.
Vic Pittman
The father of Vickie Pittman, Vic is suspected of involvement in his daughter’s murder.
Debbie Baigre
Ms. Baigre is the woman injured by Ian Manuel’s crime. While robbing her at gunpoint, Ian pulled a gun and shot Ms. Baigre, damaging her jaw. She later accepted his apology and became his friend and advocate.
Assistant Attorney General Don Valeska
Valeska is known for being tough on crime and harsh on supposed criminals. District Attorney Tom Chapman brings Valeska in to help defend the State’s position during Walter’s Rule 32 hearing.
Judge Thomas B. Norton Jr.
Judge Norton presides over Walter’s Rule 32 hearing.
Brenda Lewis
Lewis is an African American former police officer who comes to work as EJI’s paralegal around the time of Walter’s Rule 32 hearing.
Clay Kast
Clay Kast is Walter’s white mechanic. He becomes crucial in Walter’s case when he comes forward with records and statements that contradict the testimonies of Bill Hooks and Joe Hightower.
Avery Jenkins
Jenkins is an intellectually disabled man who is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. As a child, Jenkins was severely physically abused while moving between several foster homes. EJI wins relief for Jenkins, who is transferred to a mental health facility.
“Dr. Seger”
Seger is the man who poses as a psychiatrist in the trial of Avery Jenkins. For years, he works as a state psychiatrist, giving illegitimate testimonies regarding the mental condition of defendants like Avery Jenkins.
Bernard Harcourt
Bernard is an attorney who replaces Michael at EJI. He had originally planned for a “traditional legal career,” but he became passionate about prison justice after interning with EJI one summer.
Tom Taylor and Greg Cole
Taylor and Cole are the new ABI investigators assigned by Chapman to reinvestigate Walter’s case. Unlike their predecessors, they aren’t affiliated with local law enforcement or state officials in Monroe County. They ultimately assert Walter’s innocence and present their findings to the State.
Judge Pamela Baschab
Baschab is the judge who presides over the final hearing in Walter’s case, in which EJI motions to have all of the charges against Walter dropped. She cheerfully grants EJI’s motion and orders that Walter be released.
Andrea Yates
Yates is the Texas woman who famously drowned her five children in a bathtub in 2001 while suffering from postpartum psychosis.
Susan Smith
Smith is the South Carolina woman convicted of murdering her two young children in 1995 in a case that drew national media attention. Stevenson explains how her case led to media sensationalism around “killer moms.”
Diane Jones
Diane Jones was a client of EJI who served at Tutwiler Women’s prison and who often advocated for EJI to assist other women there, such as Marsha Colbey.
Charlotte Morrison
Charlotte is a senior attorney at EJI who represented Marsha Colbey.
Kristen Nelson
Kristen was a staff attorney at EJI who helped Charlotte Morrison to represent Marsha Colbey.
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American jazz/soul/folk singer who began her career in the late 1960’s. She sings at an EJI annual benefit dinner where EJI recognizes Marsha Colbey.
Rob McDuff
McDuff is a friend of Stevenson’s and the white litigator who helps EJI seek financial compensation from the State for Walter. He characterized by his “Southern charm.”
Stevenson’s mother
Stevenson’s mother is described as a lifelong church musician. She dies just before Stevenson travels to Sweden to receive the Olof Palme International Human Rights Award.
Ashley Jones
Ashley is a young woman serving a juvenile life sentence for murdering her abusive relatives. She reaches out to EJI to express her support and curiosity about their work. EJI later takes on her case in an effort to help juveniles sentenced to life for homicide.
Evan Miller
Evan is another juvenile convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was involved in the killing of a middle-aged neighbor who had given drugs to him and his teenaged friends. Stevenson describes Evan as contemplative, remorseful, and capable of change.
Stevenson’s grandfather
At the age of eighty-six, Stevenson’s grandfather was murdered by two teenaged boys who had come to rob him.
Terrance Graham
Graham is another young man who was sentenced to life in a Florida prison for violating the terms of his probation by attempting a robbery. EJI represents Graham along with Joe Sullivan before the Supreme Court.
Alan Simpson
Alan Simpson is a former Senator from Wyoming. A former juvenile felon himself, Simpson was among the many politicians who supported EJI in fighting against life sentences for non-homicide juvenile offenders.
Maria Morrison
Maria is the Senior Social Worker at EJI who helps to arrange for Walter’s care after his diagnosis of advancing dementia.
Randy Susskind
Susskind is the Deputy Director of EJI.
Jimmy Callahan, Danny Bradley, Max Payne, Jack Trawick, and Willie McNair
These are the men executed in Alabama in 2009, despite efforts from EJI to block their executions.
Jimmy Dill
Jimmy Dill is an intellectually disabled man convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Despite their efforts, EJI is unable to seek clemency for Dill. Stevenson’s frustration and sadness over Dill’s death leads to a crisis of faith for Stevenson that forms the climax of the book.
The little boy at church
As a child, Stevenson teased a little boy for his stutter, and Stevenson’s mother made him apologize and hug the little boy. The little boy’s kindness and forgiveness taught him about the power of undeserved mercy.
Rosa Parks
Stevenson meets Rosa Parks, the famous civil rights activist, toward the beginning of his career in Montgomery. She and her friends, Ms. Carr and Ms. Durr, encourage Stevenson to persist in his efforts.
Johnnie Carr and Virginia Durr
Ms. Carr and Ms. Durr are friends of Rosa Parks and veteran civil rights activists. They befriend Stevenson and offer him wisdom and support in his activism.
Kuntrell Jackson
Kuntrell is another juvenile offender sentenced to life in prison for homicide. EJI includes him with Evan Miller in their Supreme Court case against life sentences for juvenile homicide cases.
Joshua Carter and Robert Caston
Mr. Caston and Mr. Carter were both juveniles convicted of non-homicide crimes and sentenced to life in prison at Angola prison in Louisiana. As forced laborers, they both became disabled. They become the first people released from prison after EJI’s Supreme Court victory over juvenile sentences for non-homicide cases.
The Old Woman (the “Stonecatcher”)
The stonecatcher is a mysterious, charming older woman whom Stevenson meets outside the courtroom during the Carter and Caston hearings. She tells Stevenson that, like him, she is a “stonecatcher” who holds others’ sadness and fights against injustice. She tells Stevenson he will sing sad songs, like her.
Woodrow Ikner
A white police officer who testifies during Walter's trial that he was instructed to lie so as to bolster the prosecutions case.