Why does Xavier decide to take his own life in the novel, A Good Neighborhood?

When Xavier is falsely charged with the rape of Juniper, he is unable to accept his lawyer’s advice that he should accept a lesser plea. Xavier’s passion manifests itself in an inability to let go of his freedom due to the injustice of the system. He thus decides to commit suicide, to try and “hold on to his convictions with the strength shown by so many men and women before him, his parents included” (284).