THE INTRODUCTION Good afternoon, my name is Lucas Kunstleben, and it is my honor to represent the State of Maycomb and to serve as a prosecutor on this crucial case. On August 26th, 1936, the defendant in this matter lied under oath and on the stand in the case of Mayella Ewell v. Tom Robinson. The defendant lied about the events that took place on the night of August 26, 1936, between her and Tom Robinson. At the end of this case, and after you have heard all the evidence, we are confident you will return a guilty verdict on all charges of lying under oath.
THE THEME AND THEORY Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this case is all about a woman who felt guilty and shameful about her feelings towards a black man. When her father found out about
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Stuttering or not answering a question are all ways that can prove guilt. People who are lying often answer slowly to think about their response to make sure it all adds up. Mayella was asked, “Do you remember Bob beating you about the face?” (Lee 246) to which she gave no response. The defendant was also asked, “Then why did the other children hear you? Where were they? At the dump?” (Lee 250) this question also garnered no response out of the defendant. Opposing trial asked Mayella “Or why didn’t you scream until you saw your father in the window? You didn’t think to scream until then, did you. No answer.” (Lee 251) One more time she gave no response to the question asked was when Atticus Finch asked Mayella “Did you scream at your father instead of at Tom Robinson? Was that it?” These 4 examples of the defendant not answering the question asked to her show that she does not feel comfortable with the lie that she has dug herself. The final example of the defendant lying to the court was when she was asked “Didn’t you ever ask him to come inside the fence before” (Lee 246) to which the defendant said, “I did not, I certainly did not.” This statement by Mayella Ewell directly conflicts with Tom Robinson’s testimony which, combined with her stuttering and lack of answers to certain questions, proves that she lied under oath in a court of