This case is about a man, who stands accused of raping and beating a woman. The man, Tom Robinson is a hard-working family man who has never been in or caused any trouble of any sort. Now out of the blue, he is accused of this heinous crime. I would like us all, to look at the evidence presented before us. A trustworthy witness, the sheriff, has told us that Mayella had bruises around her throat consistent with those of a person who had been choked with both hands as well as a black right eye. The first action, choking, requires the use of both hands, and the second, required the use of mainly the left hand. Tom Robinson, as we have demonstrated here in front of you, has lost the use of his left arm and
hand. How then could he have choked her and punched her right eye? It is impossible.
I am not telling you to put the credibility of one man over another. I am not telling you to believe Tom’s story although I would implore you to believe it. I am telling you to look at the facts. If this was not a man of color this trial would never have come to court. First of all, “the state has not provided one iota of medical evidence” that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place (TKAM 1:30:05-1:30:15). Secondly, just looking at the evidence provided, he could not physically, have committed the crime. Remember this is physical evidence, not opinion, that has been provided. The evidence is unequivocal. That’s a word that simple folk like you, me and Tom Robinson may not understand. It means undeniable, leaving no doubt whatsoever. There is absolutely no doubt that Tom Robinson, physically, could not have done this crime of which he has been accused.
Now, we come to motive. What possible motivation could Tom have to carry out this violent attack on Mayella? Is there a single shred of evidence that he fancied her? None. Has there been one complaint, is there one witness who can say that Tom Robinson fancied Mayella? No. Is there any evidence that perhaps Tom had it in for Mayella? There is no evidence at all. So the physical evidence tells you that Tom Robinson is innocent and there is no motive. It is your job as the jury to look at the evidence without bias, without any preconceived notions and determine whether or not this man is guilty of the crime he is charged with.
It is your duty to forget you are in Maycomb county but instead picture yourself sitting at the feet of our Christian God. Twelve apostles, sitting in judgment of a good man with one good arm trying to earn a righteous living. Find this man innocent. Do not punish this man for crimes he did not and could not have committed. For it is sinful to punish those who have not sinned. The truth has been presented before you, let it speak to your hearts.
Work Cited:
To Kill a Mockingbird. Dir. Robert Mulligan Universal International, 1962. Academic Video Online. Web. 10 September 2017.
The appeal to logos, in my opinion, is the strongest argument that is made. The description of the physical actions required to beat Mayella as she had been beaten, such as the use of both hands to do the choking really works to show how impossible it would have been for Tom to commit the crime. The reminders to focus on the facts and not personal bias also help to force the jurors to see the case for what it actually is. It is extremely difficult to argue with facts. If I were a juror, I would vote for Tom’s innocence because of the undeniable facts that have clearly been laid out before me. I would find it hard to still put my personal bias above the clear evidence that Tom Robinson physically could not have committed this crime. I also think that as a juror, the last lines about God would really push me to reach the “not guilty” conclusion.