Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Who is Osvaldo Cruz in the novel Monster?

Osvaldo Cruz is a fourteen-year-old neighborhood gang member who participates in the robbery of a local corner store. Osvaldo testifies during the trial that James King, Richard "Bobo" Evans, and Steve Harmon were all in collaboration and participated in the crime. Osvaldo mentions that the only reason he agreed to participate in the robbery was because he felt threatened by Bobo. Osvaldo's job during the robbery was to stand outside of the store and throw a garbage can in the way of anyone attempting to catch James and Richard. Osvaldo also comments that Steve Harmon's role was the lookout. When Kathy O'Brien cross-examines Osvaldo, she reveals his violent, immoral character and he admits that he had to cut an innocent person's face in order to join the Diablos. Osvaldo Cruz may be telling the truth about the people who participated in the robbery, but the jury views him as an unreliable witness who is simply benefiting from testifying. 

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