Atticus Finch Deposition
...and so I decided I wanted to be involved in the justice system. I detested those racist cowards and wanted to help put things right. In Tom’s trial, many issues emerged that affected my family, issues that need not have been brought to the surface. Issues of violence, rape, domestic abuse, incest and the indecency of human nature that has a tendency to leave a bad taste in your mouth. It was very hard to break down the barriers of racial prejudices among Maycomb born and bred people. On the night of November 21st 1933, Sheriff Heck Tate was called by Bob Ewell. He said a negro had raped his 19 year old daughter, Mayella Ewell and that negro was Tom Robinson. Tom was handcuffed and sent into custody which was away from Maycomb to avoid any tensions rising amongst the townsfolk. On the night before the trial, I asked Sheriff Heck Tate to bring me into town because I was worried about Tom’s situation. Sheriff Heck Tate visited my house along with Mr. Link Deas and some other men from town to try to get me to reconsider the move. But my mind was stiff. I was sitting alone in the dim light of the jail doorway. Suddenly four dusty cars pulled up and slowly in one’s and two’s men got out. This was the most dangerous time, with my client almost being murdered before his trial by an aggressive mob that I witnessed gather outside of the jail. Luckily, it was the sweet innocence of my precious daughter, whose simple questions touched the heart of one of the mob, Walter Cunningham—causing them to disperse. On the day of the trial, only four people was called to the stand: Sheriff Heck Tate, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell and Tom Robinson. Heck Tate and Tom Robinson were the only ones who told the whole truth. Sheriff Heck Tate testified first. When I asked about Mayella’s injuries, Sheriff Heck Tate told me that Mayella got her right face bruised. That meant her visible injuries to the right face must have been attacked by a left handed person—which ruled Tom out because of Tom’s inability to use his crippled left hand. Judge Taylor had trouble regaining order in the packed and clamourous courtroom. This showed to me that obviously the Ewells were lying. However, the fact was defeated by the racial prejudices of the all white male jury, the verdict was guilty. After the unjust trial, Tom was taken to a prison farm. I didn’t give up as I appealed to the court. I told everyone that I was confident that the appeal would be successful and Tom would be freed. I never told Tom this though, as I didn’t believe in giving people false hope. Eventually, Tom’s subsequent death in custody was typical according to Maycomb l...