Tom Robinson, an African-American, is too. He was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Mayella is the daughter of Bob Ewell. Atticus, is appointed as defense attorney. Bob Ewell saw Mayella kiss Tom, but she didn't know he was there. Bob started beating Mayella and Tom had no choice but to run away. Mayella stuck to her father's story, hoping the town wouldn't devalue it. Mayella's eye was bruised on the left side. Atticus asks Tom to sign his name on a piece of paper. Bob does it, but he signs with his left hand. Then Atticus throws an object at Tom and he catches it with his right hand. He had injured his left hand when he was younger in a cotton gin. Therefore, Atticus proved that Tom was innocent, but because he was black, he was found guilty. However, the jury returns with a guilty verdict sentencing Tom to execution for rape. Later, Tom was shot while trying to escape from prison. Jem, Dill, and Scout all have different opinions about Tom Robinson's trial, but they all believe he was innocent. Scout didn't understand how a man could be hated so much just because of the color of his skin. She was raised by a man who was against racism and she saw no difference between her and him.