A Good Neighborhood

Xavier is taken to jail, where he undergoes processing and an interview. He is called “hostile” because he calmly answers as few questions as possible, even though he feels irate. While in the holding cell, he is harassed by a racist man. On his third day, he is taken out of the cell to talk with his lawyer, Carl Harrington. Harrington says that Xavier’s case does not look good, and he advises that Xavier plead guilty to a lesser charge. He says that the physical evidence and Brad’s statement are enough to override Juniper’s statement in which she said Xavier did not rape her. Harrington explains that Juniper would most likely not be at the trial. Xavier is facing a 25-year minimum sentence if he loses, which Harrington believes is likely. Harrington suggests they get through the arraignment and make final decisions later.

At the arraignment, Xavier discovers he has been charged with “first-degree rape, kidnapping, and assault” (262), and the kidnapping charge surprises him. Harrington explains that the district attorney added the charge to garner media attention and make Xavier appear dangerous. Xavier pleads not guilty, and his bail is set at $250,000. Valerie is upset because if she pays the $25,000 for a bondsman, she loses all the money, while people able to afford the $250,000 bail would get most of their money back.