Why Is Bob Ewell Guilty Of First Degree Murder?

To Kill a Mockingbird Rough Draft

The State's Attorney has decided that Bob Ewell, of Maycomb County, Alabama, will be tried on the charge of first degree murder of Tom Robinson.

Although, Bob Ewell did not physically murder Tom Robinson, his actions lead to Tom Robinson's death. The definition of first degree murder is a willful and unlawful murder that is premeditated. Everyone would agree that first degree murder is unlawful and a threat to society, however; first degree murder does not have to be physical murder. A person can be charged with this degree of murder if they do something they know would lead to a person's murder, just as Bob Ewell did.

One of the reasons why Bob Ewell is being charged with first degree

During the court case, Bob Ewell was asked by Mr. Gilmer if he saw Mayella being raped by Tom Robinson, and he replied "yes, sir, I did." Mr. Gilmer also asked Mr. Ewell what he did when she saw her being raped, and he said that " I immediately ran to the sheriff, Mr. Heck Tate", yet again, another lie made up by Bob Ewell. By him lying like this, he was successful in covering up the fact that he was the one who beat up Mayella. Also, by his deceptiveness, he figured that he would be successful in getting Tom Robinson killed, whether him being in prison or the death. One other lie that Bob Ewell told during the court case that covered up his crime was lying about being able to write with both of his hands. Atticus asked Mr. Ewell to write his name down on a piece of paper, and he ended up using his left hand. This made Atticus more deceptive of Mr. Ewell because he was suspicious of him having a dominant left hand, much like the hand that was used to beat up Mayella. But of course, Bob Ewell being his usual self, said that "I can write with my right hand just as good as my left", which yet again, was another lie that led to the death of Tom