In Chapter 18 of Monster, Steve's defense lawyer makes her closing argument. This the final chance for a lawyer to go over the important points of the trial, as well as stir up the jury's feelings towards her client. O'Brien focuses on several things:
- The prosecution is not even accusing Steve of actually shooting the gun, just of being involved in the robbery. Furthermore, they haven't been able to prove that he was involved, only that he knew the guys and talked about basketball with them.
- O'Brien points out that witnesses only saw Steve walk out of the store, not give any signal that the store was clear and ready to be robbed. And, if he had been the lookout, he did a terrible job at it. Lorelle Henry was still in the store at the time of the robbery.
- O'Brien reminds them that only Bobo and King ate the chicken dinner after the robbery and split the money; Steve did neither of those things.
- She also tears down Bobo as a witness. His testimony showed him to be both foolish and cold-hearted, which doesn't reflect well on the prosecution or their case. O'Brien suggests that because Bobo doesn't value the lives of others, he wouldn't have a problem blaming Steve for the robbery.
- She ends with the good points of Steve's character: his openness and honesty and his marked difference from the actual criminals who were brought to testify.
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