People of the courtroom, people of the jury. Over the course of this gathering we’ve examined what little evidence that has been presented by the prosecuting party. The defendant is clearly not guilty. I’m telling you this, the evidence is telling you this, even Mr. Ewell and Sheriff Tate are telling you this. Logically speaking, Tom Robinson cannot use his left hand. We can assume that whoever beat Mayella Ewell led with their left because it was the right side of her face that was beaten. As Sheriff Tate said, “..they were all around” (TKAM 1:11:40), in regard to the marks around Mayella’s neck. There is no way that one hand could grasp all of Mayella’s neck. Furthermore, Bob Ewell definitively said, “I agree with everything Mr. Tate said” (TKAM 1:14:00). Mr. Ewell is confirming that the marks were all the way around her neck, something that Tom Robinson physically can’t do. To convict Tom Robinson would be to call Sheriff Tate a liar, because the only way for Tom Robinson to beat Mayella as described is for him to grab her with two hands. This, again, is not possible. Tom Robinson is innocent. The jury should be ashamed if they have the audacity to think that, even for a second, Mayella Ewell and Bob Ewell’s testimonies have enough evidence to convict this man. To do such an outrageous act [convicting Tom Robinson] would not only be wrong in the light of the law, but it would most certainly go against the word of Sheriff Tate and still furthermore Bob Ewell. The betrayal of Sheriff Tate would be even more damaging than that of Tom Robinson. If Tom Robinson is convicted, Sheriff Tate will have lied on the stand after swearing honesty. I can assure you that I will be pressing another case against Mr. Tate if you choose to convict Tom Robinson, it would only be fair under the fine laws we abide by in this great country.
What happened to Mayella Ewell is tragic, upsetting in every way, and unacceptable under any circumstance. However, we cannot justify sending away an innocent man simply because they don’t want to own up to whatever actually happened that day. I have no evidence to say who actually beat Mayella Ewell, so I won’t go around accusing anyone of it. Likewise, I would expect the same courtesy from Mayella and Bob.
To uphold this conviction is to nullify the power of the courtroom, the same courtroom that has fought for so many great things in the past. These topics range from women’s rights and suffrage to setting up the powers of the government we love so dearly. Charging Tom Robinson with this crime will tarnish the name of the great court system we have, disobey the morals we live by, and inevitably ruin the career of Sheriff Tate. If you are to find the defendant guilty, you will hurt your future self by removing the Sheriff. If you are to find the defendant not guilty, you will only hurt the Ewell’s and only in the manner that they will have to come forward with the truth. The same truth that they should have given us from the start. For the sake of yourselves, Sheriff Tate, the community, and God’s will please find Tom Robinson innocent. Thank you.
Works Cited
To Kill a Mockingbird. Dir. Robert Mulligan. Universal International Pictures (UI), 1960. Swank Motion Pictures.Web. 12 September 2017.
Nicholas,
This a very great response and I like you writing style. In my opinion, the most effective appeal used was ethos because you directed your argument towards doing what’s right in terms of what is believed to be moral. Also, the reference to religion emphasizes this because most people have the propensity to make their judgements based on the bible and God’s will.
If I was a jury member listening to this statement, I would acquit Tom Robinson because you make a strong argument about the consequences of wrongfully convicting a man. Since you shed light on how the whole community is affected by the decisions, I would be more apt to do whats best or make the utilitarian decision. Convicting Tom only benefits the Ewells, whereas, acquitting him saves the community as well as the justice system.