The principal representation of truth in “The Trials of Oz” is Robertson’s detailed presentation of the initial courtroom battle, including lengthy quotations from the transcript of the trial. His characterisation of the judge is strongly biased to the point of caricature whereas the editors of Oz are presented as likeable and harmless. Robertson a young lawyer who “knew all about the law, but nothing about justice” was a stagehand in the defence.

Oz magazine began publication in 1963. Its articles took “radical stances on such issues as civil liberties, censorship and the Vietnam War”. It’s London editors; Richard Neville, Jim Anderson and Felix Dennis had been charged with “conspiring to produce a magazine containing diverse, lewd, indecent and sexually perv

In the chapter “Michael X on Death Row” Robertson creates a different truth, supporting the statement “Every text constructs its own truth”. Robertson’s truth in this chapter is that the death penalty is brutal and inhumane practice, and by using grotesque passages and emotive language, he enables the reader to support his view.

After Michael’s arrest for murder, the American Celebrity lawyer William Kunstler enters the narrative. Robertson’s descriptive of Kunstler is redolent with sarcasm, resentment and personal outrage. The inverted commas on “radical lawyer” indicate irony and that Robertson does not regard him as genuinely radical. The “famous” in “his famous hands” is sarcastic and sounds like jealousy. Robertson quotes Kunstler “I only defend those I love” in order to discredit him-and to offer his own professional dedication as a standard against which to measure Kunstler. Hence, Robertson’s biased account of Kunstler creates his own truth of Kunstler as a media-driven lawyer.

Thus, in summary in the “Trials of Oz” Robertson’s truth is that legally, the definition of obscenity was out of date and did not apply to this case, as it was proven by evidence that exposure to pornographic material did not corrupt moral. Robertson’s biased accounts of Judge Argyle distort the truth, as he makes the reader dislike the Judge due to his own biased views. However Judge Argyle tried to distort the truth by trying to influence the court by his body language and tone of voice.

Thus in summary, the truth in “Michael X on Death Row” differs to the truth in “The Trials of Oz”. Robertson’s truth in Michael X on death row is that capital punishment is cruel and inhumane and he supports this truth by using grotesque passages and emotive language. Roberson’s other truth is that even though the inmates on death row were guilty of the crime they committed, they did not deserve the harsh treatment that they endured on death row.

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