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Setting
Chapter 3: Trials and Tribulations
Explanation and Analysis—Bad Precedent:
In Chapter 3, Walter is convicted of killing Ronda Morrison even though his lawyers demonstrate that the State's key witness is lying. The situational irony here is emblematic of a problem Stevenson regularly encounters in his legal practice:
Chestnut’s cross-examination of Myers made it clear that the witness was lying. When Chestnut finished, Walter was sure that the State would simply announce that they had made a mistake. Instead, the prosecutor brought Myers back up to repeat his accusations as if the logic and contradictions in the testimony were completely irrelevant, as if repeating his lies enough times in this quiet room would make them true.
Related Themes:
Chapter 4: The Old Rugged Cross
Explanation and Analysis—Gracious Survivors:
In Chapter 4, after a discouraging hearing in Herbert Richardson's case, his victim's family approaches Stevenson and asks if he can represent them. The situational irony contributes to a sense of pathos in support of Stevenson's overall argument about the criminal justice system:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The stunned look on my face prompted her to say more. “I know you’re busy. It’s just that we could use the help.” I realized that she’d cautiously offered her hand to me as she spoke, and I held it in mine.
“I’m so very sorry you haven’t received the help you’ve been promised. But I actually represent Herbert Richardson in this case,” I said as gently as I could.
“We know that. I know you might not be able to do anything right now, but when this is over, can you help us?...”
Related Themes:
