Comparing and Contrasting Steve and Cruz

Steve hadn't come from a bad background. His family cares for him a lot. Steve also has a conscious. He doesn't believe he's a bad boy. He also isn't involved in any gangs. He tries not to affiliate himself with bad people.

Osvaldo Cruz however would do nearly anything to get out of jail. But he is in a gang. To get into this gang, the Diablos, you have to leave your mark on someone. You have to slash someone where it shows. You also have to fight someone who already is a member. He tries to make himself look innocent in court, but outside of court, he isn't. I think he should be the one who is on trial. 

Similarities: They both are minority ethnic groups. They also both took part in the murder of Nesbitt. And they are both juveniles. They both started hanging out with the wrong crowds, too. And the last thing they had in common was that they both needed the money because they were poor.

I think the reason Walter Dean Myers did this is to make a twist in the story. I think they should have both Steve and Cruz on trial.