Steve Harmon is a 16 year old African American boy. He is being accused of being the lookout for a robbery that went wrong and resulted in the murder of Alguinaldo Nesbit, the owner of the establishment that was robbed. Bobo Evans and James King, the perpetrators of the crime, testified that Steve was the lookout and that he wanted in on the robbery. Steve was seen walking away from the store before the robbery took place. He then lied about being in the store and being the lookout for Bobo and James. Furthermore, he is trying to convince himself through the entire trial that he is innocent. He is found innocent by the jury, but the reader should see he is guilty because of his actions.
Steve Harmon's actions portray his characteristics to the reader. The reader learns that Steve is a lier because he states to the jury under oath that he was never in the store the day of the robbery on page 223. In another instance he states that he went into the drug store just to, "look around," on page 115. Then later he changes his story again saying that he was in the store, "buying mints," on page 140. Because of his actions throughout the book, the reader should recognize his dishonesty as he lied under oath. It was obvious he has something to hide. If he was innocent he would have been upfront and honest without ever changing his story.
Was Steve in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was he walking away from doing his part of the robbery? The other two participants in the crime are testifying that Steve was an accomplice, and Steve states that he was, "walking down the street, trying to make his mind a blank screen." This is not just a coincidence, and this is just more evidence that adds up to the verdict that he is guilty.
Additionally, Steve believes he is guilty throughout the entire trial and is trying to convince himself that he is innocent. He admits on page 266, that he is terrified of his jail sentence if he is proven guilty. Then after trying to convince himself he is innocent, he tells himself that he is a good person, but good people can still do bad things. If he was innocent then why would he not believe in himself, and tell himself that good people can do bad things? All of these thoughts lead the reader to the conclusion that he was an accomplice on the crime, but is now regretful for his actions and wants to change them. Although him trying to cover up and lie about his actions will not change the fact that they did happen, and now he should have to face the consequences.
Even though the jury did not find Steve Harmon guilty, he has to live with what he has done for the rest of his life. He will always have the guilt of never facing the consequences of his mistake, and won't feel like he is a good person. He says that his brother doesn't look at him the same. Steve thinks that when his brother looks at him he is thinking, "I don't know who you are, I don't want to be like you, You are a Monster." This is Steve's guilt coming out in a way that makes him believe that everyone is treating him different and thinking that he is guilty. This should give you enough evidence to decide that even though he was proven innocent, that he is really guilty because of his actions.
