The Start of the Maycomb Rape Trial Maycomb, Alabama- The Tom Robinson trial has just begun and so there is no verdict. For those of you who are just learning about the case: Tom Robinson, a young black man, is accused of rape by Mayella Ewell, a 19 year old girl. The trial began with Judge Taylor's presiding and then Heck Tate,1st officer of the county, began by testifying. He began with saying that on …showed first 75 words of 806 total…

…showed last 75 words of 806 total…Mayella about Mr. Robinson taking advantage of her but in return nothing but silence back. She then responded, "I got somethin' to say an' then I ain't gonna say no more. That nigger yonder took advantage of me an' if you find fancy gentlemen don't wanta do nothin' about it then you're all yellow stinkin' cowards, stinkin' cowards, the lot of you." She then refused to answer questions and Mr. Finch called his only witness.