Synopsis
Minor Demons
Published by Dramatists Play Service
5 Male 3 Female
Here he had twisted the truth to free guilty clients, tried cases in the media and was often paid in cocaine. The years he spent on top have taken a tremendous toll on him
He has lost his wife, his fortune and he has forgone all custody rights to his six-year-old daughter. Now, all he wants to do is put the high-profile cases behind him, live a decent life and practice simple, boring law
But the first case to come along is a terrible murder and sexual assault, in which Deke must defend Kenny, a fifteen-year-old boy who has admitted to killing a thirteen-year-old girl
Deke's reticence in handling the case is compounded by the fact that his oldest and best friend, Vince, is now the chief of police in the town. Kenny is a particularly sick young man, but in talking with him Deke discovers that Vince did not read Kenny his rights until after the boy confessed to the killing.
Kenny is guilty, but Deke can get him off on a technicality. Deke is torn between his recent vow to stay honest and follow the law - which would free a murderer and get his best friend thrown off of the police force, or lying-which would protect his friend and put a dangerous man behind bars
But lying is what Deke came home to get away from, and he feels he must tell the truth, even if it means terrible consequences. In the end, Kenny does get off
Forced out of his job, Vince also moves away, and Deke is left haunted by his choice
Minor Demons is a chilling tale of murder in a small Pennsylvania town and its after effects. This gripping play examines a tragic clash between a hurtful truth and an expedient lie
"Graham writes in an old-fashioned style that includes carefully developed characters and a well-structured plot. He also creates nice contrasts among many roles and has a knack for naturalistic comic one-liners" ~ Variety