Steve is a 16-year-old Black high school student from Harlem who is incarcerated while awaiting trial for felony murder. An avid video club student, he copes with the terrifying reality of jail by framing his experience as a movie screenplay. He struggles deeply with his identity and fears that he might actually be the monster the prosecution claims he is.

Kathy is an experienced, red-haired Irish-Catholic defense attorney appointed to represent Steve. She approaches the case with pragmatism and professionalism, focusing strictly on legal strategy rather than forming an emotional bond with her client. She repeatedly emphasizes the immense difficulty of separating Steve from the other defendants in the eyes of the jury.

Sandra is the Assistant District Attorney prosecuting the case against Steve and James. Dark-haired and intense, she is highly skilled at managing the courtroom narrative to ensure maximum conviction rates. She aggressively works to group all the defendants together, painting them as a unified criminal element threatening the community.

James is a 23-year-old Harlem resident currently on trial alongside Steve. He possesses a menacing presence and constantly strategizes about ways to acquire money through illegal means. He displays a cavalier attitude toward the severe charges he faces, often trying to intimidate those around him.

Asa is the defense attorney representing James King. He directs his legal strategy toward attacking the credibility of the state's witnesses, pointing out that they are providing testimony solely to reduce their own prison sentences.

Steve's father is deeply distressed by his son's incarceration. He struggles with the shattering of the high expectations he held for his son's future, causing a painful emotional distance between them.

Steve's mother remains fiercely supportive of her son, ensuring he has clean clothes for court and bringing him a Bible. Despite her outward strength, Steve notices the profound grief and fear the trial is causing her.

Jerry is Steve's younger brother. Steve thinks of him often while incarcerated, missing their sibling dynamic and worrying about the example he is setting for the younger boy.

Mr. Sawicki is the teacher who runs the high school video club. He teaches his students about the importance of honesty in filmmaking, a philosophy that deeply influences Steve's worldview and his coping mechanism in prison.

Bobo is an associate of James King who participated in the robbery. He takes a plea bargain for a lesser charge and a shorter sentence in exchange for testifying against the others.

Osvaldo is a 14-year-old boy who participates in the crime by guarding the door. Despite his tough exterior and membership in a street gang, he claims on the witness stand that he only participated because he was terrified of the older boys.

Mr. Nesbitt is the owner of the Harlem drugstore targeted for a robbery. His tragic death during the crime sets the entire trial into motion.

José is an employee at Mr. Nesbitt's drugstore. He is the person who discovers Mr. Nesbitt's body after the robbery and reports the crime.

Salvatore is an inmate at Riker's Island who testifies about stolen cigarettes to secure a lighter sentence and avoid physical harm in prison.

Wendell is a man who allegedly purchased stolen cigarettes from Bobo Evans. He uses this information to negotiate a reduced sentence for his own crimes.

Officer Karyl is a detective who investigates the drugstore robbery. He questions Steve harshly at the precinct, attempting to frighten the teenager into a confession.

Officer Williams is a detective who helps arrest Steve. He conducts the arrest in a casual, abrupt manner without reading Steve his rights.

Miss Lorelle is a grandmother who happened to be in the drugstore buying medicine when the robbery began. She identifies James King as one of the men arguing with Mr. Nesbitt.

Dorothy is James King's cousin. She testifies that James visited her on the day of the robbery to bring her a lamp, providing an alibi for him.

Mr. Nipping is a man who has known James King since childhood. He is called to testify that King is left-handed, a detail meant to cast doubt on King's involvement in the shooting.