Characters
This character was falsely accused of murder and spent years on Death Row.
Walter McMillian’s conviction was largely based on the testimony of this unreliable witness.
Who is Ralph Myers
What do many of the prisoners that Bryan discusses suffer from (often the reason that they were unable to properly represent or defend themselves)
What are mental illnesses
The entire book explores this theme through the biases and flaws in the justice system.
What is racial injustice/bias
This state served as the setting for the events of Walter McMillian’s case.
What is Alabama
This person founded the EJI, or the Equal Justice Initiative after working with Death Row cases for several years.
Who is Bryan Stevenson
This tragic event marked the beginning of Walter McMillian’s legal nightmare.
What is the murder of Rhonda Morrison
What treat does Avery Jenkins repeatedly ask for?
A chocolate milkshake
How are Walter and the famous novel To Kill a Mockingbird connected?
They both take place in Monroeville, AL
Who said it: "Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done."
Who is Bryan Stevenson
Bryan witnessed this Vietnam veteran's execution and it taught him that executions are horrific for all involved.
Who is Herbert Richardson
Bryan Stevenson was detained and forcefully searched for listening to music in his parked car in which city?
What is Atlanta
This boy’s traumatic story included being sent to adult prison for allegedly killing his abusive stepfather.
Who is Charlie
Who are people who haven't earned or sought it.
Although Walter was well-liked within his community, what was one of his flaws?
What is womanizing, having affairs, occasionally drinking too much and fighting
This person was the original judge in Walter's trial and was known for his racial biases - he also has a rhyming name.
Who is Judge Robert E. Lee Key
At the end of the book, what is Walter eventually diagnosed with?
What is trauma-induced advanced dementia
Ian Manuel writes to Bryan Stevenson and begs him in that letter to send him something What is it?
What are photographs of himself taken during a photo shoot.
What does JM suggest about the concept of forgiveness?
According to Stevenson, what is often the biggest predictor of whether justice will truly be served, regardless of race?
What is wealth
This is the name of the Alabama District Attorney who was willing to ignore all evidence in Walter's case until a national 60 minutes report made him look foolish and unprofessional.
Who is DA Tom Chapman
What year did the Supreme Court finally ban life imprisonment without parole sentences for children?
What is 2012
Why does Just Mercy include the stories of so many of Stevenson’s other cases?
What is to show the justice system's impact on vulnerable groups
At the end of the novel, Stevenson refers to himself as a “stonecatcher.” Who or what is a “stonecatcher?”
Who is someone who tries to protect those who are facing judgement; someone who shows mercy to those who need it
What is the impact of storytelling (rather than just presenting facts) in Just Mercy?
It humanizes victims