The 57 Bus: Part 3: Court Date Summary & Analysis

During Richard’s first court appearance, the press corners his family, asking them multiple questions. “What kind of boy is he?” they ask, and “Why do you think he did this?” Richard’s aunt tells the reporters that Richard was only “joking around” and that “he’s not a bad person,” but the news outlets see it differently. Setting someone on fire isn’t a joke—ever—and many of the online papers “seethe with outrage.” People take to Facebook and condemn Richard and Jasmine. “Lock him up,” they say. “Throw away the key. Lock up the mother too while you’re at it.”