They said Tom raped Bob's daughter, Mayella.
Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, Tom Robinson, Heck Tate..
Heck Tate, Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell.
Mr. Heck Tate's mob wanted to take custody of Tom Robinson in order to carry out their own form of justice, which involved lynching him as retribution for the alleged crime of assaulting Mayella Ewell. They were motivated by a desire for revenge and mob mentality.
Heck Tate, Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson
Mr. Heck Tate find Bob Ewell dead under the tree with a knife in him.
Heck Tate, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson. In that order.
Heck Tate justifies why he didn't call a doctor to examine Mayella Ewell's injuries after the alleged assault by Tom Robinson. He claims that no doctor was called because there was no need, as he could see that there was no physical evidence of rape or harm.
Boo Radley
Several witnesses testify at Tom Robinson's trial, including Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell, Sheriff Heck Tate, and Tom Robinson himself. Mayella and Bob Ewell accuse Tom Robinson of assaulting Mayella, while Tom Robinson maintains his innocence. Other witnesses provide additional evidence and perspectives on the case.
tate knows that Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell!
Heck Tate insists that Bob Ewell's death was self-inflicted because he wanted to save Boo Radley (who actually killed Bob Ewell) from the spotlight that would come from everyone finding out that Boo killed Bob.
Heck Tate is the sheriff of Maycomb County, and he is friends with Atticus Finch. During Tom Robinson's trial for the rape of Mayella, Atticus notes that after the alleged assault, "folks were doing a lot of running round that night. Did anybody think to call for a doctor?" He asks Heck Tate and Mayella's father this question.