How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I mean, there are cases where defense attorneys in capital cases have actually shown up for trial drunk, or so ill prepared they told the judge they didn't know what they were doing, and even then the appeal courts wouldn't concur on ineffectiveness of counsel." (3.21)
Millard is explaining that the state doesn't really care how bad the defense counsel is. This seems obviously unfair and unjust—but nobody seems to care much about justice. Why even bother with a defense counsel at all, you wonder?
Quote #5
"But, Dad," Patrick had asked, "then who is going to kill them for killing him?" (3.134)
Patrick Quigley is the son of one of the attorneys working on Pat's case. His son is trying to figure out how it can be just to murder someone as a punishment for murder. If murder's wrong, it's wrong, right? A kid can understand that; as you get older, though, these things get less clear, for better or (probably) worse.
Quote #6
"No, Mr. Millard, no you didn't fail, you didn't fail, it's the justice system in this country, it stinks. It stinks bad." (4.172)
Pat tells Millard not to feel guilty; the justice system just stinks. Prejean pretty much agrees, and she makes a good case for that interpretation throughout the book. So there are some implications here beyond just the death penalty: if the justice system is rotten, isn't that a problem for the country as a whole? And what do you do about that? Abolishing the death penalty doesn't even seem like it's really enough. No wonder Millard is depressed.