Journal+TKAM+Trial

The most popular trial to hit Maycomb took place today right in the courtroom of Judge Taylor. Tom Robinson was accused by Miss. Mayella Ewell and her father for her rape. To no surprise, Atticus Finch is the defense attorney that was selected to defend the Negro in the trial. Of course it's assumed that the Negro committed the crime against innocent Mayella. However, Mr. Finch has been in peril for the past few weeks. It was rumored that his case was strong. Mr. Heck Tate, Mr. Ewell, Miss. Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson himself were witnesses to this trial. The procecuting attorney in this case is Mr. Gilmer. The courtroom was packed to the rafters with people, whites and Negroes alike. This trial was so anticipated that people were forced to stand to watch. In essence, Mr. Finch used his courtroom abilities to make each one of the witnesses out to be liars. However, most of the public thinks that the Negro is in great peril. Tom Robinson is going against all odds and Atticus is out to prove his innocence.

All members testifying in this case confirmed that the rape of Miss. Mayella took place on November 21 of last year. Mr. Heck Tate was the first of the witnesses to be called to the stand. He testified that he "was fetched by Bob- Mr. Bob Ewell yonder, one night-." Sheriff Tate also testified that Miss. Mayella was "pretty well beat up." Mr. Finch attempted to make a point about the Sheriff's competence with his ability to call a doctor. Atticus asked Mr. Tate if he had called a doctor. He asked this question many times, each of these times the answer being no. The next witness that was called to the stand was Mr. Ewell. Mr. Ewell testified that he had "seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on [his] Mayella." Mr. Finch started of to a rocky start while examining Mr. Ewell. He questioned the man's literacy, which was objected to by the procecution because Mr. Gilmer didn't see its relevance and found it to be of degradation to Mr. Ewell. He pointed out to the jury that Mr. Ewell is a left handed citizen and the injuries that feeble Mayella sustained were to the right side of her face area. This means that the attacker is primarily left handed. After the court had their round with Mr. Ewell, his daughter (the accuser), Miss. Mayella Ewell was questioned. After only a few minutes of questioning, Miss. Mayella erratically burst into tears, claiming that she was scared of Mr. Finch. She was scared that he was going to deceive her and make her out to be a liar. Forewarned of Mayella's oppressive reactions to questioning, Atticus examined the young woman with palliation. Inconspicuous as ever, Mr. Finch used Mayella's innocence to catch her on her own words. He spoke to her very gingerly, yet getting his points across to the jury. He summed up his examination by asking Mayella if her father was the one that beat her, which left Mayella infuriated. Atticus held a stong point, showing the court that Tom Robinson's left arm was crippled. He left Mayella with that and the proceeding witness took the stand. Tom Robinson claimed that Miss. Mayella had called him into the yard to do a countless amount of work in various occasions. Atticus pointed out that Mr. Robinson was not paid for these visits and was doing out of the kindness of his heart. Tom Robinson recounted November 21, saying that Miss. Mayella had called him to do work inside the house and she had made advances on Tom, which he had denied. When asked if he raped Mayella that evening, Tom replied saying, "I did not, suh." With Tom's examination, Atticus attempted to further show Mr. Ewell's guilt in the injuries of his daughter.

This oppressive story has sighted Mr. Ewell as a possible suspect concerning Mayella's face and neck injuries. However, the court doesn't right know who will be blamed for the rape of Miss. Mayella. Tom Robinson has a strong case against him, his being a Negro. He also has a strong case pointing in his favor. Atticus worked to point out Mr. Robinson's side of the story and his inability to use his left arm. Almost the whole town is present on those stands, waiting for the jury to send Tom Robinson to his death. Atticus has other plans. Those being to prove Tom innocent against a young white woman. Even though the odds are stacked against him, this case is still heavily Atticus'.