The Next Generation

English Essay #1

A Trial by Jury is based around the author; D. Graham Burnett’s first hand experience as a juror in the case of The People of New York vs Monte Milcray. Monte Milcray was accused of the murder of Randolph Cuffee on August 2, 1998.  A lot of suspicion surrounded the case based behind Milcray’s unreliable and constantly changing story.  The police refused to release Milcray after admitting to the killing on grounds of self defense.  Cuffee’s body was found at 4 pm on August 2nd with several stab wounds to the front and back. Earlier that morning the police picked up Monte Milcray without a shirt on and with a cut to the hand. At the time, Milcray told the police that he was jumped by 5 white males. After the police discovered Cuffee, he admitted to killing Cuffee in self-defense.  Milcray explained that a lady named Veronique invited him over after he got out of work at 12.  He accepted the invitation and after work met up with Veronique.  The two began talking and after a short period of time began advancing sexually.  Soon, Milcray claims he discovered that Veronique was a man.  Appalled, Veronique (Cuffee), begins to try forcing himself on Milcray. Milcray struggles, and ends up stabbing him several times in the back and chest. Milcray claimed he gathered what he could and left.

        The fact that Milcray told one story then changed his story completely lead to immense suspicion.  His testimony also was questioned based upon other evidence that did not match up with his accounts of the events.  Examples of this is the incredibly large amount of stab wounds Cuffee received seemed like overkill in the circumstances provided by Milcray.  Milcray’s story did not match up to the amount of stab wounds, which seemingly incriminated him further. Also, the angles of the stab wounds were clean.  It would be very difficult to make a clean stab wound into someone’s back if you are in front of them. All of these factors lead to the suspicion...