Ninteen Minutes entry 6

The ending of Nineteen Minutes presents a twist. In the final stages of the trial, Josie admits that she was the one who shot Matt the first time after the gun fell out of Peter's bag. While it is not this shot that kills Matt, it is Peter who later fires the deadly second shot. Throughout the novel, Josie never tells the entire story of what she knew from the shooting. She always says "I can't remeber." However, it is clear at the end of the novel, that it was that she did not want to remember.  She is carrying so much emotional guilt and pain that she tries to avoid the topic at all costs. She reflects upon happy and difficult, abusive moments with Matt. Not once, however, does she admit to shooting Matt. Because she finally tells the truth, she recieves a sentence and Peter's sentence is reduced. While she will have this on her record, she is released from keeping a lie that has been tearing her apart.