Chapter 17-19

Dear Diary,
Today was the day of the trial, and I spent the night in the jail house. Later on when we arrived to the court house it was a full house. Atticus and I made our way up to the front of the room and we took out seats. The trial began and I listened carefully to what was said by the Ewell’s. Atticus asked me to stand so Mayella could identify me as the rapist. I wanted to shout that I was innocent, but I knew better. Everything Atticus said was proving me not guilty, but it all depends on the jury. I wait a long, long time and there was finally a break. When it was over Atticus called me up to the witness stand and I walked quickly to the stand. I panicked a little as I realized I would have to life my dead left hand on the book to do under oath. I tried I few times until Judge Taylor said, “That’ll do, Tom.” I went to the witness chair and Atticus had me tell the jury about my life. Age, family, and other things like that.
I told them about being arrested for disorderly conduct. I explained it was because a man tried to cut me when I got in a fight and we were both convicted. I was asked questions that I have been asked a million times. Atticus asked me if I have ever been invited over to the Ewell’s by Mayella and I answered honestly. Every question Atticus I answered best I could and as honestly. I was polite, trying to prove to the jury I was a kind person and I was taught to always be polite. I told Atticus and the jury what I was asked to do when Miss Mayella asked of my services. I told them everything, but I was still worried about the cross-examination.

Tom Robinson.