Read the excerpts from "Wrongful Convictions” by John R. Firman and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.
"Wrongful Convictions”
[In addition, we need to look at] post-arrest case review. . . . The team will sit down and say, "Let us go back and look for any potential red flags, where we can say that even though we’ve hung our hat on this case and we think this is the right person, this is the right offender, then the bottom line is, let’s go back, let’s stop, let’s just stop everything, get the checklist out—just like pilots do, just like doctors do—and say, ‘What do we have here? What does this case really look like?’”
Just Mercy
An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation. Fear and anger can make us vindictive and abusive, unjust and unfair, until we all suffer from the absence of mercy and we condemn ourselves as much as we victimize others.
How is tone related to both authors’ ideas in these excerpts?
Both authors share an emotional tone; however, Firman is highlighting the mistakes in the justice system, while Stevenson is asking for changes in the future.
Both authors share a cautious tone; however, Firman is arguing for specific checklists, while Stevenson is asking for broader change.
While Firman’s tone is methodical and Stevenson’s tone is passionate, both excerpts seek measured fairness in the application of justice.
While Firman’s tone is conversational and Stevenson’s tone is formal, both excerpts ask that the justice sector be more like the health and safety sectors.
