It’s notable that Tison’s attorney says that Quan is “physically similar” to Justyce. Throughout the entire novel, Stone never mentions that Justyce and Quan look alike. Even if this were true, though, it would have little relevance—after all, Tison knew at the time of his interaction with Justyce and Manny that Quan was in jail. Consequently, he wouldn’t have needed to worry that he was facing the same person who killed his partner. Because of this, the attorney’s implication in this moment is quite racist, as she effectively suggests that Tison had the right to discriminate against Justyce simply because he was a black man who vaguely resembled a completely different person.