Tom Robinson Trial

Good afternoon, my name is Lucy Caughey, and it is my pleasure to represent Maycomb County and to serve as prosecutor in this important case. On November 21, Mayella Ewell was the victim of rape, the crime was allegedly committed by Tom Robinson, who claims not to have done it. Mr. Robinson says that Mayella attempted to kiss him and grabbed him around the waist, while he was standing on a chair that broke because he fell off while trying to reach a chiffarobe Mayella asked him to break up into kindling. Mayella said he tried to rape her and beat her, there are two sides to the story. I believe that Mayella lied under oath, I believe she lied for a life, for it to not be her, for it to not be someone she knows behind bars for a crime that she didn’t commit.

Members of the jury, the County will review the evidence against Mayella Ewell for lying under oath to keep herself safe from the truth. Mayella states that her father ran in yelling, “I don’t remember too well, but next thing I knew Papa was in the room standing over me hollerin’ who done it, who done it” (Lee 242). To me, this makes no sense because Mr. Ewell said that he saw Tom Robinson run out of his house, but then he asked Mayella who did it, I believe that this may be a cover-up. Atticus then asks Mayella an argumentative question, “Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?” He was next. “Love him, whatcha mean?” “I mean, is he good to you, is he easy to get along with?” “He does tollable, cept’ when-” “Except when” (Lee 245)? Mayella catches herself, leaving me thinking that she may be hiding something that we may not know. Atticus then proceeds to ask her about the beating, “Do you remember beating you about the face?” “No, I don’t remember if he hit me. I mean yes I do, he hit me.” Was your last sentence your answer?”