The First Gentleman Chapter 87 Summary & Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens in a New Hampshire courtroom as the trial of Cole Wright begins. Brea, an author writing a book about the case, observes as the jury—more diverse than she expected—is seated. Judge Walter Dow, a tanned sixty-year‑old with a moderate reputation that has drawn partisan media commentary, presides. The clerk swears in the jurors, then reads the indictment: Cole Wright is charged with second‑degree murder in the death of twenty‑two‑year‑old Suzanne Bonanno, whom he allegedly strangled and buried. Brea, still haunted by the unsolved murder of her friend Garrett, hopes for a conviction that cannot be appealed. Defense attorney Tess Hardy places a supportive hand on Wright’s back as he stands. Judge Dow instructs the jury on sequestration and reminds them that an arrest is not evidence. The deputy attorney general prepares to deliver the opening statement, and Brea feels ready.
Key Events
- The clerk commands “All rise” as jurors enter; Brea notes three jurors of color.
- Judge Walter Dow strides in; Brea lists his biography and notes media criticism of his politics.
- The jury is sworn in with a chorus of “I do.”
- The clerk reads the indictment: Cole Wright caused the death of Suzanne Bonanno by strangulation, second‑degree murder.
- Brea’s thoughts drift to Garrett’s murder and her long‑held suspicions about Wright’s past.
- Tess Hardy shows support for Wright by placing a hand on his back.
- Judge Dow instructs the jury on sequestration and presumption of innocence.
- The deputy AG is called for the opening statement; Brea declares readiness.
Character Development
- Brea: The narrator reveals her personal stake—she wants a conviction not just for Suzanne but also for Garrett, whose murder she believes may lead to Wright. She struggles to focus during the indictment reading, then steadies herself. Her determination hardens.
- Cole Wright: Stands silently as the charges are read. No interior perspective is given, but his demeanor is controlled.
- Tess Hardy: Performs a deliberate show of support for her client, suggesting a strategic courtroom presence.
- Judge Walter Dow: Portrayed as experienced and politically moderate (by New Hampshire standards), with a public life already scrutinized. He maintains formality.
- Mr. Begley (clerk): Executes procedural duties efficiently.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Bubbles and Isolation: The jury’s sequestration is described as an “information bubble” that “bursts every day,” highlighting the fragility of impartiality in a highly publicized trial.
- Performance vs. Justice: Tess’s hand on Wright’s back is explicitly called “theater,” and Brea’s own book‑writing adds a layer of narrative construction. The courtroom becomes a stage where truth and performance compete.
- The Weight of the Past: Brea’s obsession with Garrett’s murder and the “rumors swirling around Cole Wright since his college days” shows how unresolved history can drive the present search for accountability.
- Indictment Language: The formal charge— “against the peace and dignity of the State”—contrasts with the visceral image of Suzanne dumped in a hole, emphasizing the gap between legal procedure and human tragedy.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks the formal beginning of the trial that Brea has been waiting for. It sets the courtroom’s power dynamics and reveals Brea’s dual mission (justice for Suzanne and for Garrett). Judge Dow’s instructions on the presumption of innocence and the jury’s sequestration establish the legal stakes. The chapter also deepens Brea’s character by showing her vulnerability (mental fog) and her fierce resolve, while the contrast between procedural calm and emotional turmoil primes readers for the testimony ahead.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Brea’s internal conflict affect her perception of the trial’s opening?
Brea admits she “could not care less about the judge’s politics” and focuses solely on a conviction that cannot be overturned. Her unresolved grief over Garrett’s murder makes her see this trial as a chance to finally hold Wright accountable, even though the charges are only for Suzanne’s death.
2. What role does Tess Hardy’s gesture play in the courtroom?
Placing a hand on Wright’s back is described as both a sincere show of support and “theater for the rest of us.” It signals to the jury that the defendant is a person worthy of empathy, but Brea interprets it as a strategic performance.
3. Why does Judge Dow’s political reputation receive so much media attention?
The New York Times calls him a moderate; the Washington Post quips that a moderate in New Hampshire would be right of Genghis Khan. This highlights the partisan lens through which every aspect of the trial is being filtered, reinforcing the chapter’s theme of bubbles and prejudice.