Close Reading Post #1

While watching “The People v. O.J Simpson: American Crime Story”, Johnny Cochran said that the teams that win court cases simply tell better stories than their opposition. Darren Wilson’s testimony was deliberately crafted in such a way to tell a story that would garner sympathy for him while simultaneously demonizing the deceased Michael Brown. There are several things that Wilson said that such as Michael Brown’s intimidating nature and behavior, complete with disrespect to an authority figure. Wilson said that Brown pushed the door and then started to enter the car and assault Wilson, all while saying how he didn’t expect any of this and that he was simply trying to talk with Brown. Wilson is sure to mention Brown’s intimidating face and how his nature is like that of “a demon” (PG 225 Ln 2-3). This is completely calculated and intentional. Wilson knew that to get that to get the support of the jury, he had to garner support by telling a great story. The calculated language he used and the manner in which he used it made it clear that he was telling a story to portray himself as innocent and Brown as a monster.