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Tom Robinson Trial Research Paper

638 Words3 Pages

Your Honor, gentlemen of the jury, the evidence provided throughout this trial has hopefully helped you all understand that this case is simple and clear. This case where Tom Robinson is accused of sneaking up on Mayella Ewell and raping/assaulting her has many contradicting pieces of evidence that don’t seem to align with the accusation. These pieces of evidence come together to prove that Tom Robinson is most definitely innocent of the charges against him. Now it is time to make our final plea for justice. First of all, I would like to point out how Tom’s disabled left arm suggests that he couldn’t possibly commit the crime. As you have heard from Mayella and the other witnesses' testimony, they have confirmed that Mayella’s black eye was …show more content…

I will remind you all that during his testimony Tom stated “[Mayella] grabbed me round the legs. she hugged me. She hugged me round the waist.” Mayella’s actions from Tom’s words signify that she took the initiative to get physical first, whereas Tom had only come to her house because he was asked to fix her dresser. All of this evidence combines to form one conclusion: Tom Robinson isn’t guilty of the charges he is facing. I would like to highlight Mayella’s inconsistent explanation of her experience during the crime. When giving her testimony, Mayella states, “No, I don’t recollect if he hit me. I mean, yes, I do, he hit me.” but then follows up with, “Yes, he hit – I just don’t remember – it all happened so quick!” Her statements are not direct answers that help her case. Mayella had also mentioned that she had invited Tom over to her house, Tom never snuck up behind her and attacked her. This means she did have time to react and recollect what had happened since she wasn’t attacked without expecting anyone there. Along with that, Mayella hesitated quite a bit during her testimony and avoided many of the questions asked, failing to provide strong evidence that Tom Robinson was surely the

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This is getting tense from the moment when the court begins. I read the three testimonies that accuse Tom Robinson for raping Mayella. As a bookworm, I don’t believe that liar because the way the author describes her reaction when she is being question. For example, this quote shows how Mayella didn’t answer for three times which shows she is lying and hiding something that can make Tom Robinson not guilty. In Mayella’s point of view towards the case, she says how Tom Robinson (whose left hand is shorter) raped her.

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468 Words | 2 Pages

This act of hers has left Tom in jail, and his children and wife alone. We hope you listen carefully and thoughtfully to seek the truth of Mayella Ewell's crime. Now, jury members, I will go over the evidence while the county reviews it. Mayella Ewell was under oath on August 21st, over the case of Tom Robinson when she lied. She is said to have called Tom over to bust her chiffarobe, when he had gotten on top of her, then attacked and taken advantage of her.

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The reason why she is guilty is because she lied under oath. Mayella could not keep the story straight, as you can hear that Mayella Ewell switched her side multiple times. Also, Mayella was beaten by a left-handed man. Tom Robinson’s left hand is twelve inches shorter than his right. The result of the court led to Tom Robinson’s death.

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355 Words | 2 Pages

Tom Robinson is innocent because there is a lack of solid evidence linking him to the rape of Mayella. During the trial, Mayella claims that she screamed the whole time Tom allegedly took advantage of her; however, when Atticus questions her, she is not able to come up with any probable answers to prove Atticus’ statements wrong. Atticus asks her, “‘Why didn’t the other children hear you?’. . . ‘Or didn’t you scream until you saw your father in the window? You didn’t scream until then, did you?’”, but Mayella always has no answer to his questions (Lee 250-251).

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885 Words | 4 Pages

I believe Tom Robinson isn’t guilty. Some ways I could tell this is how he presents his case, his mannerisms, and also how his injuries can make him unable to commit the said crime. The plaintiffs and witnesses supporting them did not present their information in that way. Many of the testimonies were conducted improperly, or weren’t said confidently. Hector Tates was very contradictory, Bob Ewells was disorderly, and Mayellas was abruptly emotional.

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314 Words | 2 Pages

The evidence points out that whoever assaulted Mayella had to do so with their right hand as she was hit on the right side of her face. Tom Robinson could not have assaulted her as his left arm was basically useless after a saw mill accident. Tom Robinson did not rape Mayella Ewell! Atticus is a fantastic lawyer and he did an outstanding job with this case. He made almost everyone believe that Tom was innocent.

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243 Words | 1 Pages

Based on the evidence during the trial Tom Robinson is not guilty because he was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. In the beginning of “Thomas Robinson testimony he reached around, ran his fingers under his left arm and lifted it. He guided his arm to the bible and his rubber-like left hand sought contact with the black binding”.(Lee 192.) This shows that Thomas Robinson didn’t rape Mayella Ewell because he put his hand on the bible to say that he never did that. This also shows that nobody with a broken arm could do something like that.

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423 Words | 2 Pages

I mean yes I do, he hit me. ”,This evidence supports my thesis because not only did Mayella accuse Tom of rape to save her and her fathers skin. Mayella then goes on to lie in court with her hand already touching the bible. Mayella knows that with her accusing Tom Robinson will not only ruin his life but will also affect those around him like Tom’s wife and kids. There could of been many differnet outcomes of Mayella’s choice at that moment

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The proof was all there. Maybe everyone, deep down, believed Tom did not rape Mayella. However, it’s very clear none of them had the strength to admit it. Maycomb may only see colors, but they live in a colorless world. They are afraid of change and will forever always stick to the status quo.

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444 Words | 2 Pages

First of all I think Tom is innocent is because a doctor wasn’t called for Mayella. In the script on page one Mr. Finch says, “Did anyone call a doctor?” Then Tate, the sheriff, replies, “No, sir.” This shows that even though Mayella was in serious condition no one bothered to call a doctor.

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1166 Words | 5 Pages

Tom Robinson speaks more about his interactions with Mayella during his trial, who falsely accused him of rape. He shares his view of the social pressure that Mayella might be facing in the case. Understanding that pressure unveils the biases that he experienced during the trial. Apart from the pressure from the society as a burden on Mayella, but also the pressure from her father as well. Tom Robinson’s sympathy shows this when starting, “I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more on the rest of 'em—" (Lee, 201).

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1258 Words | 6 Pages

‘That’s what I [Mayella] said.’ ‘Do you remember him beating you about the face?’ The witness hesitated. Lee, 210. This is equally as important because it shows that Mayella is conflicted between blaming Tom for injuries that she clearly sustained from Bob, which we know from Bob’s testimony from earlier, or just admitting that Bob had beaten her, which could cause her to be beaten

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1316 Words | 6 Pages

The only evidence that the prosecutor had was the word of a white person against the word of a black person. Atticus had better, more convincing evidence on how it would have been almost impossible for Tom Robinson to rape Mayella. “He looked oddly off-balance, but it was not from the way he was standing. His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right and hung dead at the side” (Lee 248). Heck Tate explained that there were definite finger marks all around Mayella’s neck and Mayella said that she was being choked.

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1331 Words | 6 Pages

Born in a low status family, she is stressed to suffer under the underestimation and disdain from other people and furthermore, her dad’s terrible treatments. Mayella tells two separated lies: one is about Tom Robinson raped her; another one is she shields her dad, which means she conceals the truth about her dad beats her. In the trial, Tom states that when Bob saw what did his daughter do to him, he savagely snaps, “you goddamn whore, I’ll kill ya” (Harper 221) to Mayella. From this quote, Bob is extremely furious with his daughter when he accidentally saw the scene.

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866 Words | 4 Pages

No medical evidence was ever collected or shown to prove that the crime ever took place. On the night after the assault, Mayella Ewell was never seen be a doctor. She was never examined to prove that Tom Robinson did anything to her. Mayella stated that she was beaten that night, so she should have gone to the doctor to get checked out. There is no proof of any crime, so there should not have been a guilty verdict.

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