In the passage, Steve's testimony raises questions about his credibility. He asserts that he was not at the drugstore during the robbery and claims he was taking mental notes for a film project, yet he admits to not remembering where he was during that time. This lack of clarity about his whereabouts makes it difficult to fully trust his statement.
The fact that he didn't recall the day of the robbery until weeks later suggests potential issues with his memory or involvement. If he genuinely focused on his film project, it's plausible he could remember specific locations or experiences that contributed to that project. However, his contradictory statements create doubt about his innocence.
It is also important to consider the broader context of the narrative. Throughout Monster, Steve grapples with his identity and the implications of being on trial for a serious crime. He may be motivated to present himself in the best possible light, leading to statements that could be viewed as self-serving.
Ultimately, whether Steve is telling the truth depends on how one interprets his motivations and the significance of his memory issues. Given the conflicting elements of his testimony and the situation he finds himself in, one could argue that while he may believe in his innocence, the truthfulness of his claims remains uncertain.