Just Mercy Flashcards

Central Claim of "Just Mercy" Introduction

The quality of mercy is strained in the American justice system.

Bryan Stevenson's Background

A black lawyer raised in a working-class Southern family.

Alabama Policies of the $1980s$

Policies that disproportionately increased incarceration rates for the Black population.

Ralph Myers

A key witness for the prosecution in Walter McMillian's case who eventually recanted his testimony.

Unexpected Event during Routine Visit

Stevenson had an encounter with SWAT officers while visiting a client's neighborhood.

Stevenson's Rhetorical Appeal

The author primarily uses Ethos when describing his personal experiences.

Walter McMillian's Initial Arrest

He was initially arrested for sodomy before being charged with murder.

Initial Trial Verdict (Walter McMillian)

Guilty with a death sentence.

Michael Lindsey Case Jury Action

The jury recommended life imprisonment for the defendant.

Herbert Richardson's Background

A Vietnam War veteran with PTSD who committed a crime involving a bomb that killed a young girl.

Atmosphere of Richardson's Execution

Somber and ritualistic.

Supreme Court Ruling of $1976$

A landmark decision that allowed states to reinstate the death penalty.

Impact of Poverty on the Justice System

It disproportionately disadvantages defendants during the legal process.

Role of Race in the Justice System

It significantly influences arrests, sentencing, and executions.

Local Community Reaction to Walter McMillian

Opinions were divided along racial lines.

Stevenson's Consistent Criticism

The application of the death penalty throughout the American justice system.

Walter McMillian's Alibi

Information revealed during a home visit showing Walter had a strong alibi for the day of the murder.

Outcome of McMillian's First Appeal

The appeal for a retrial was denied outright.

Charlie's Injustice

He was incarcerated in an adult prison as a juvenile.

Stevenson's Primary Literary Device

The use of Tone to convey the emotional impact of the cases.

Children in Adult Prisons (Risk)

An increased risk of abuse within the facility.

Ian, Trina, and Antonio

Three juveniles mentioned in the book who all faced harsh sentences in adult systems.

Mrs. Williams and the Court Environment

The court environment during Walter's retrial was described as hostile and discriminatory toward her.

Avery Jenkins Case

A case that highlights issues surrounding the incarceration of mentally ill inmates.

Avery Jenkins Case Guard

An individual who unexpectedly becomes an advocate for Jenkins.

Outcome of Walter McMillian's Retrial

He was exonerated.

$60$ Minutes Episode Impact

The broadcast brought national attention to Walter McMillian's case.

Author's Primary Purpose

To highlight injustices within the criminal justice system.

Marsha Colbey Case

Illustrates the broader challenges and issues faced by female inmates.

Storytelling Approach in "Just Mercy"

The combination of personal narratives with legal analysis.

Challenge in Addressing Wrongful Convictions

The resistance from the legal system to admit its own errors.

Joe Sullivan Case

A case that highlights the specific issues regarding juvenile sentencing.

Landmark Juvenile Sentencing Decision

The Supreme Court ruled against life imprisonment without parole for children.

Walter McMillian's Health Diagnosis

He received a diagnosis of dementia later in life.

Conclusion of Walter McMillian's Story

The narrative ends with his death and funeral.

Shifts between Anecdotes and Social Commentary

A structural choice to connect individual stories to systemic issues.

Use of Statistics and Legal Precedents

Provides logical evidence to support the author's overall claim.

 Where was Walter McMillian’s trial held?

Baldwin County

What was the significance of the "stonecatcher" metaphor?

Symbolizes catching injustices

Who sentenced Walter to death?

Judge Key

Where is the EJI based?

Montgomery

What does Stevenson say is the opposite of poverty?

Justice

What was the ACTUAL reason that Walter McMillan was targeted for arrest for murder?

He had an affair with a white woman

What key evidence proved Walter McMillian’s innocence?

He had a solid alibi and many witnesses

Who was the key witness against Walter McMillian in the initial trial?

Ralph Myers

 How did Stevenson prove Ralph Myers' testimony was false?

Myers recanted, admitted coercion

What was Herbert Richardson’s crime?

Bombing resulted in a child’s death

What Supreme Court ruling did Stevenson win for juveniles?

No life without parole for non-homicide

What effect did Walter’s wrongful conviction have on his health?

Developed trauma-induced dementia

What fuels mass incarceration?

Fear and politics

 What does Stevenson say about hope?

Hope is necessary for justice

Who was the first death row prisoner Bryan meets?

Henry

Where did Stevenson go to law school?

Harvard

How long was Stevenson's first visit with Henry supposed to be in the Introduction?

1 hr

How long was Stevenson's visit with Henry in the Introduction?

3 hrs

What did Judge Key say that Walter McMillian might be a part of?

Dixie Mafia

. When was the ban on interracial marriage eliminated?

2000

What type of business did Walter McMillian establish and how well did it prosper?

When sharecropping was less available, McMillian started his own pulpwood business. He borrowed money for his own power saw, tractor, and pulpwood truck. His business did not make a lot of money, but it gave him independence.

What murder shocked Monroevill in 1986?

In 1986, Ronda Morrison, the young daughter of a respected local family was found dead on the floor of Monroe Cleaners, the shop where she worked. She had been shot in the back three times.

How did Bryan Stevenson's interaction with Henry leave a permanent impact on him?

Bryan Stevenson used that event as an inspiration to committing towards helping death row prisoners, AND changing his point-of-view and understanding of human potential, redemption, and hopefulness

Steve Bright

director of SPDC

Tom Tate

Sheriff of Monroeville County

Walter McMillan

innocent man sentenced to death

Karen Kelly

married woman who had an affair with Walter

Rhonda Morrison

murdered young woman, beloved by white community

Ralph Meyers

disfigured, tormented man; pressured to testify against Walter

Bill Hooks

bribed to falsely testify against Walter

Vickie Pittman

murdered young woman from poor community

Lourida Ruffin

killed in police custody; not given asthma inhaler

Ted Pearson

DA for Walter's case

Robert E. Lee Key, Jr.

judge for Walter's trial

John Evans

botched execution; excruciating

Eva Ansley

Stevenson's partner - EJI

Michael Lindsey

jury gave life sentence - judge gave death penalty

Herbert Richardson

Vietnam vet; PTSD; executed

John Patterson

chief judge for Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals; anti-civil rights reputation

Michael Connor

former drug addict; lawyer for EJI

Tommy Chapman

new DA overseeing Walter's case

Trina Garrett

abused, mentally ill, set fire that caused deaths of two boys; raped in prison

Ian Manuel

13 year old, shot a woman in the jaw during a robbery; 18 years in solitary confinement

Antonio Nunez

abused child, shot in street; brother shot dead; youngest person in U.S. to receive life imprison when no one was physically injured

Clay Kast

mechanic who lowered Walter's truck for him

Woodrow Ikner

Monroeville police officer; first at scene of the Morrison murder

Mrs. Williams

older black woman; terrified of dogs due to being attacked during Selma march for voting rights

Avery Jenkins

mentally handicapped man; abused growing up; killed a man during a psychotic episode

Minnie McMillian

Walter's wife

Pamela Baschab

new judge; set Walter free

Marsha Colbey

gave birth to stillborn baby; convicted of murder

Joe Sullivan

mentally handicapped man in wheelchair; life without parole at age 13

Evan Miller

abusive past; involved in murder at 14; life without parole

Jimmy Dill

intellectually disabled; abused; drug deal shooting where victim died 9 months later: executed

Robert Caston

first to be released as a result of Miller v. Alabama

Strauder v. West Virginia

excluding blacks from juries is unconstitutional

Plessy v. Ferguson

approved segregation "separate but equal"

Loving v. Virginia

outlawed miscegenation

McCleskey v. Kemp

race is the greatest predictor of who gets the death penalty in the U.S.

Brown v. Board of Education

segregation in schools declared unconstitutional

Miller v. Alabama

EJI case - ban on mandatory life-without-parole sentences on children convicted of homicides

Walter McMillian

: Charged with and wrongfully convicted of the capital murder of an 18-year-old white woman, Ronda Morrison, in Monroeville, Alabama

Anthony Ray Hinton

Charged with and wrongfully convicted of two counts of first-degree capital murder for the killings of two fast-food restaurant managers in Alabama