Suspect
The Suspect is a 19-year-old male accused of stabbing his father to death. He has a criminal record consisting of auto theft, robbery, and knife fighting. At age 15 he was placed in reform school. He grew up in the slums, endured regular beatings from his father, and became motherless at age 9.
Evidence
Although we never hear the suspect speak or testify, we can gather his basic profile from comments made among the Jurors. The following evidence is simply quotes from various jurors.
Age & Crime
Act I, Page 314, Column 2.
Eight: “He’s nineteen years old.”
Three: “That’s old enough. He knifed his own father. Four inches into the chest…”
Criminal Record
Act I, Page 317, Column 2.
Seven: “…look at the kid’s record. At fifteen he was in reform school. He stole a car. He’s been arrested for mugging. He was picked up for knife fighting. I think they said he stabbed somebody in the arm. This is a very fine boy.”
Slum Life & Motherless
Act I, Page 315, Column 1.
Eight: “I don’t want to change your mind. I just want to talk for a while. Look, this boy’s been kicked around all this life. You know, living in a slum, his mother dead since he was nine…”
Abuse Growing Up
Act I, Page 317, Column 2.
Eight: “Ever since he was five years old his father beat him up regularly. He used his fists.”
Act I, Page 314, Column 2.
Eight: “He’s nineteen years old.”
Three: “That’s old enough. He knifed his own father. Four inches into the chest…”
Criminal Record
Act I, Page 317, Column 2.
Seven: “…look at the kid’s record. At fifteen he was in reform school. He stole a car. He’s been arrested for mugging. He was picked up for knife fighting. I think they said he stabbed somebody in the arm. This is a very fine boy.”
Slum Life & Motherless
Act I, Page 315, Column 1.
Eight: “I don’t want to change your mind. I just want to talk for a while. Look, this boy’s been kicked around all this life. You know, living in a slum, his mother dead since he was nine…”
Abuse Growing Up
Act I, Page 317, Column 2.
Eight: “Ever since he was five years old his father beat him up regularly. He used his fists.”