The Tom Robinson Trial

Robinson was being accused of doing to Mayella. The jury took one look at Tom, and voted

I believe Tom Robinson to be not guilty for three reasons; Mayella’s actions and reactions during her testimony made her appear as if she was lying, Tom’s attitude made him appear truthful when he was giving his testimony, and the only physical evidence does not correspond with Mayella’s testimony. While being questioned on the witness stand by Atticus, Mayella Ewell’s reactions made her appear misleading. While answering the questions from Atticus she changed her answers. At the end of her testimony Mayella said, “No, I don’t recollect if he hit me. I mean yes I do, he hit me” (Lee, pg. 185).

Chopping wood, helping out and do what he could for Mayella Ewell was Tom Robinson's only crime. Similar to Boo Radley, Tom

Tom Robinson, a hard-working gentleman of color, found guilty for rapping nineteen year old Mayella Ewell although, he is innocent. More than that, Robinson is found guilty because of a prejudiced jury.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson, the black man falsely convicted of rape, had absolutely no chance of a fair trial. There is proof of this in the time period in which it occurred as well as evidence from the novel itself. Tom Robinson had an unfair trial because it was his word against the Ewell’s, a white, trashy family.

There are many basic parallels between the Scottsboro Trial and Tom Robinson’s Trial, in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. As Harper Lee grew, up, she was surrounded with news of the Scottsboro Trial, which had a large impact in her novel. But there are also many deeper parallels between these two. Both trials contained African-American(s) being accused of rape to a white woman, but Lee had a way to show this through a child’s eyes, presumably, her as a young child experiencing the Scottsboro Trials firsthand. The characters involved within Tom’s Trial are also fabricated from the people involved with the Scottsboro Trial. There are many examples within both texts to prove these statements. The Scottsboro Trial is filled

That means that he couldn't have hit her on the right side unless he was striking from an awkward angle which is very unlikely. Bob Ewell however, is left handed and the evidence is already pointing twirls him as guilty. Bob Ewell is an alcoholic and is said to get “riled” from time to time and is said to lash out at Mayella and his other children. This proves that Tom Robinson is innocent because he would have been incapable of beating Mayella, whereas Bob Ewell was very

In To Kill A Mockingbird, it is strongly implied that Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father, had/has been sexually abused/abusing her, making Tom Robinson completely innocent. Before we move on as to why I believe Tom Robinson innocent, keep in mind that during this time period racism was a VERY strong issue and still sadly is today, so many back then thought to believe black people as guilty right off the bat, which is absolutely ridiculous. Moving on--contrary to what both Mayella and Bob state during the trial, (“I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!”, 173 and “He caught me, choked me and took advantage of me..”, 185) it is stressed that their body language proves they are both lying. For example, while Atticus is questioning Mayella, in the politest manner might I add, she is

Ultimately, the jury ruled that Tom Robinson was guilty, although many people acknowledged that Bob Ewell was lying; therefore, the verdict was more of a result of peer pressure to give the expected results, as opposed to ruling what each individual probably thought in their head. Unfortunately, mob mentality is a dangerous and potent weapon in more ways than one, as it involves mass of people whose emotions are running high; therefore, it serves as a dangerous mix with any firm beliefs or views, including racist

The trial of Tom Robinson began a few months ago when he was accused of the rape of Mayella Ewell.

To Kill a Mockingbird “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird” (Lee 119). In the book, To kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee vividly explains what it would be like to live in a time with poverty, racism, and domestic violence. Scout, Jem, and Atticus all live in a tiresome town called Maycomb, Alabama. Scout thoroughly explain how she feels about Maycomb. “There was no hurry, for there was no where to go, nothing to buy, and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County” (Lee 6).

I predicted that he would be innocent. First off, one reason that he will innocent is because unlike other cases that have involved black affairs, there is lots of hope for Tom Robinson. Many people think that it is possible for him to win the case. One of those people is Atticus Finch. Atticus was purposely appointed this case by Judge Taylor because everyone knows that Atticus would be willing to give it a try.

Ewell.” “What has happened?” “Nothing’s happened. We’re scared for you, and we think you oughta do something about him.” Atticus smiled wryly. “Do what? Put him under a peace bond?” “When a man says he’s gonna get you, looks like he means it.” “He meant it when he said it,” said Atticus. “Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that, if he had any to being with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?”

Similar to Boo Radley was another man labeled by society. His name was Tom Robinson. He was a man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. After being in the vicinity of the Ewell’s house trying to slip past the arms of Mayella Ewell, he was falsely accused, interrogated, and convicted of rape. Tom was always courteous towards his peers as he would occasionally help Mayella if she needed it. This converts to Mayella augmenting feelings towards Tom and her trying to make a move on him. Her father caught her in the act and accused Tom of raping her as a white woman going after a black man was not socially approved. Tom stated that he felt sorry for her(Lee, 197). This was odd as black folk weren’t supposed to show compassion for white folk. Him feeling heavy hearted for a white woman and trying to be a gentleman led to a false accusation, a conviction, an

Rape, racism, Robinson. This is the charge being pressed against this innocent compassionate man. He has done nothing morally or legally wrong, but only help a woman in need. Miss Mayella Ewells. The testimonies given today throughout the trial proves without a reasonable doubt that this man is not guilty. The testimony given by Miss Mayella Ewell's clearly reveals that she been not just physically, but mentally abused. Miss Mayella has been abused, but not by Tom Robinson.