Mr. Tate and Mr. Gilmer testify that Mayella Ewell was beaten on the right side of her face, suggesting that the assailant was left-handed. This information is used to imply that Tom Robinson, who had a disabled left arm, was the one responsible for the attack.
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.
Heck Tate, Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell.
Heck Tate, Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson
Mayella was bruised badly and had a black eye on her right side. Atticus shows in his cross-examination of Sheriff Tate is that no one called a doctor to help Mayella.
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.
Heck Tate, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson. In that order.
When Sheriff Tate is testifying Atticus leads him to remember that Mayella's black eye, and other injuries, are on the right side of her face. This is significant because it implies a left handed attacker, and Tom Robinson's left arm is useless.
Mr. Tate and Atticus realized that Bob Ewell, who is left-handed, could not have been the one to beat Mayella Ewell on her right side. This created doubt about Bob Ewell's guilt in the case, as his left-handedness did not align with the injuries Mayella sustained.
Has been raped by Tom Robinson.(Not 100% sure)
When Sheriff Tate is testifying Atticus leads him to remember that Mayella's black eye, and other injuries, are on the right side of her face. This is significant because it implies a left handed attacker, and Tom Robinson's left arm is useless.
When Tom Robinson testified, he mentioned that Mayella Ewell had asked him to come inside the house to help with some chores. He testified that when he got down from the chair to help her, she made advances towards him which he rebuffed.
Atticus asks Mr. Tate if he sent for a doctor when he arrived at the Ewell house, to which Mr. Tate replies 'No'. Atticus then asks Mr. Ewell why he didn't call a doctor, to which Mr. Ewell hesitates and does not provide a clear answer, indicating their lack of concern for Mayella's condition.