PETROCELLI

Withdrawn. Mr. Harmon, you say you weren't at the drugstore anytime during the day of the robbery. Perhaps you would tell us where you were.

STEVE

I don't know exactly where I was when the robbery took place. Most of the day I was going around taking mental notes about places I wanted to film for a school film project.

PETROCELLI

Well, if you don't know exactly where you were, can you tell me anyone who might know where you were?

STEVE

I don't even remember where I was. When the detectives asked me where I was, I couldn't even remember the day they were talking about. They didn't ask me about it until weeks later.

PETROCELLI

Then how do you remember – what did you say? – taking mental notes for a school film project?

STEVE

I know that because I was planning to do the film of my neighborhood over the holidays.

—Monster,
Walter Dean Myers

Based on this passage and the rest of what you’ve read in Monster, do you think Steve is telling the truth on the witness stand? Explain.

1 answer

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.

Similar Questions
  1. Read the excerpt from Monster.PETROCELLI Then he must have lied, is that right? O’BRIEN Objection. The prosecution is
    1. answers icon 1 answer
  2. PETROCELLIWithdrawn. Mr. Harmon, you say you weren't at the drugstore anytime during the day of the robbery. Perhaps you would
    1. answers icon 1 answer
  3. PETROCELLIMr. Harmon, do you know James King? STEVE I know him from the neighborhood. PETROCELLI You talk to him much? STEVE
    1. answers icon 1 answer
  4. Read the excerpt from Monster.O’BRIEN Nothing further. CU of MR. SAWICKI. He starts to leave the stand but is then held up by
    1. answers icon 1 answer
more similar questions