The trial begins with Sheriff Tate and Mr. Ewell being questioned. It was established that the sheriff went to the Ewell home upon Mr. Ewell’s request. The daughter, Mayella, was found on the floor beaten and bruised, and both the father and daughter accused Tom Robinson of the attack. Upon cross-examination, Atticus made it clear that a doctor had not examined Mayella to verify the rape, the injuries were on the girl’s right side indicating the attacker would need to be left-handed, and Mr. Ewell was definitely left-handed.
Mayella took the stand next. During Atticus’s beginning questions, he helps the courtroom understand Mayella’s situation in life. The picture that was presented was not pretty. Atticus presents this information to show the court that Mayella must lie and accuse Tom Robinson because she fears her father. When Mayella is asked to tell the court what happened, she gives a description that requires an attacker who can use both hands adequately. She identifies Tom Robinson as her attacker, and Atticus asks him to stand, so the court can see that his left arm hung crippled and useless by his side. …show more content…
He guided his arm to the Bible and his rubber-like left hand sought contact with the black binding. As he raised his right hand, the useless one slipped off the Bible and hit the clerk’s table (p. 254).” After being sworn in, Tom Robinson was asked to give his account of what happened. He did not describe Mayella using brash or acrimonious language; even though he had the right. His account explained her scaring him with her forward actions. He refused to call her a liar, but mitigated his words and claimed “she’s mistaken in her mind (p.
Mayella took the stand next. During Atticus’s beginning questions, he helps the courtroom understand Mayella’s situation in life. The picture that was presented was not pretty. Atticus presents this information to show the court that Mayella must lie and accuse Tom Robinson because she fears her father. When Mayella is asked to tell the court what happened, she gives a description that requires an attacker who can use both hands adequately. She identifies Tom Robinson as her attacker, and Atticus asks him to stand, so the court can see that his left arm hung crippled and useless by his side. …show more content…
He guided his arm to the Bible and his rubber-like left hand sought contact with the black binding. As he raised his right hand, the useless one slipped off the Bible and hit the clerk’s table (p. 254).” After being sworn in, Tom Robinson was asked to give his account of what happened. He did not describe Mayella using brash or acrimonious language; even though he had the right. His account explained her scaring him with her forward actions. He refused to call her a liar, but mitigated his words and claimed “she’s mistaken in her mind (p.