Question D

[Jonetta]

When you read the particulars of the Black Warriors case, did you believe it possible the police had tortured Michael Harris? Why or why not? Were you surprised to learn the truth?

[Charlene]

Yes, I believed it was possible that Harris had been tortured by police, who were so certain he was guilty that they crossed every line of law enforcement to get a confession from him. Some police would be inclined to violence, sadly.

For a while, I did think that Harris was guilty, though.

[Robin]

I agree, Charlene. Just look at some of the cases in the last year where police got carried away and ended up shooting unarmed suspects. Unfortunately, they sometimes cross the line.

[Jonetta]

Given the crime he was accused of? I had little doubt.

[Charlene]

It reminds me, Jonetta, of your answer to the previous question. The police were trying to control the outcome of the case, and both times their motives were not to protect and to serve, but to wrap a case quickly and to save face.

[Jonetta]

They were also angry. I think it was a bit of both.

[Lauren]

Unfortunately, I wasn't surprised to learn that the police had crossed the line. The fact that the victim was a child made it all the more evident that the cops were desperate and willing to do anything to find her - understandable but completely wrong and unjustified.

The cops become the monsters they hunt when they cross that line - "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.
And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee" - Nietzsche was so right!

[Charlene]

Good point, Lauren.

[Jonetta]

So very true.

[Jim]

I felt from early on that the claims of brutality would be shown to be true. Harry doesn't want to believe it, but he learns the truth from Sheehan.

I thought the author handled this scene really well when Sheehan provides Harry with the barstool confession.