I didn't particularly like that line either, Ann, but in response to yours and alcyone's reactions, I have to say that I found a more believable way to take it. I don't think he's saying that he's made his own moral verdict to be not guilty, I think he's saying that in light of the case presented, he now believes that according to the law he shouldn't be found guilty of second degree murder.
Hey there woody! I just want to distinguish my own response from Ann's, because I think we differ considerably. My issue is not about "making his own moral verdict." I've never cared about Clark's guilt or innocence, wanting one or the other to win out, but rather his struggle itself.
Because of this, basing his final judgement (if this is it) on others "convincing" him, feels a bit of a let down. This is just me though probably misreading the fic. I thought having him figure out his guilt or innocence himself was as much part of the fic as the actual trial. To me the trial emphasized that opposition between public and private, and I was actually hoping that if a trial called him not guilty, he'd feel empty and realize that it's up to him and him alone to decide without anyone else making it easier on him.
This "convincing" seemed much more about external forces than internal ones, is probably a better way to put it. For that reason it loses some of the punch for me. But maybe that's the point--to showcase that sometimes the law normalizes judgement to the point that we assimilate standards outside of us. That rings rather tragic in a way, but interesting. Still as always very interesting and thought provoking. I, too, dread the end of this fic.
alcyone
