Answer: If Stevenson's memoir "Just Mercy" were an attempt to answer a research question, it might be focused on the question of whether the American criminal justice system is capable of providing justice and equal treatment under the law. Throughout the book, Stevenson highlights a number of cases that demonstrate how the system can fail, particularly when it comes to people of color, low-income individuals, and those with mental health or developmental disabilities. He shows how the system is stacked against these groups, with biases and prejudices that often lead to unfair and unequal outcomes.
One example of this can be seen in the case of Walter McMillian, a black man who was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death despite clear evidence of his innocence. Stevenson demonstrates how the system failed McMillian at every turn, with a biased judge, a corrupt prosecutor, and a system that was more concerned with closing cases than with seeking the truth. Through his work on the case, Stevenson was able to prove McMillian's innocence and secure his eventual release, but the fact that it took so long and required such a monumental effort is a clear indication that the system is not working as it should.
Overall, it seems that Stevenson's memoir is a powerful argument for the need for reform in the criminal justice system, and an important reminder that we must do more to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and equally under the law.
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