To Kill A Mockingbird

EVIDENCE

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Atticus Finch, a widow, is a lawyer in Maycomb, Alabama. He has two children named Scout Finch and Jem Finch. The two children befriend Dill. Boo Radley, is a neighbor who cannot be seen around because he always stays home. Scout, Jem and Dill were very much interested about Boo so they keep imagining what Boo is doing everyday and also his looks. The three children found out that someone is leaving the gifts in the three. They also found out that Boo Displays affection, though they never see him in person. Atticus handled the case of Tom Robinson. Tom was a black man. He was accused of raping a white lady in Maycomb. The trial court appointed Atticus to defend him. Although many of Maycomb's citizens disapprove, Atticus agrees to defend Tom. Other children taunt Jem and Scout for Atticus' actions, calling him a nigger-lover. Scout is tempted to stand up for her father's honor by fighting even though he has told her not to. For his part, Atticus faces a group of men intent on lynching Tom. This danger is averted when Scout, Jem, and Dill shame the mob into dispersing by forcing them to view the situation from Atticus' and Tom's points of view. Since Atticus did not want the three children to watch the trial of Tom, they still watched secretly. Atticus establishes that the accusers, Mayella and her father, Bob are lying. It also becomes clear that the friendless Mayella was making sexual advances towards Tom and her father caught her and beat her. Despite significant evidence of Tom's innocence, the jury convicts him. Jem's faith in justice is badly shaken, as is Atticus', when a hopeless Tom is shot and killed while trying to escape from prison. Bob Ewell vows revenge because he was humiliated in the trial. He spits in Atticus' face on the street, tries to break into the presiding judge's house and

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EVIDENCE

menaces Tom Robinson's widow. Finally, he attacks the defenseless Jem and Scout as they walk home on a dark night from the school pageant. Jem's arm is broken in the struggle, but amid the confusion, someone comes to the children's rescue. The mysterious man carries Jem home, where Scout realizes that he is Boo Radley. Maycomb's sheriff arrives and discovers that Bob Ewell has been killed in the struggle. The sheriff argues with Atticus about the prudence and ethics of holding Jem or Boo responsible. Atticus eventually accepts the sheriff's story that Ewell simply fell on his own knife. After the incident Scout walks Boo home.

THE LEGAL DISPUTE:

The principal legal dispute specified in this movie is whether or not Tom Robinson raped or tried to rape Mayella. During that time, there was a distinct discrimination over Black Americans. Mayella Ewell, being a white American lady, fell in love with Tom Robinson, a black married man. The legal dispute sprouted when Mayellas father found out that Mayella tried to kiss Tom Robinsons. Being blinded by discrimination, Mayella was beaten up by her father as a punishment for such act. Afterwards, they file a complaint alleging that Tom Robinsons raped and beat up Mayella. Mayella and her father accused Tom of beating her and presenting before the court her bruises which actually caused by her own drunkard father just to pin Tom Robinsons to their case. The case of Mayella was established by her own emotional testimony in the witness stand. Being the case, the narrow-minded white racists Americans in the town prejudged Tom Robinsons and find solely for Mayella and her father.

To Kill A Mockingbird

EVIDENCE

THE RULES ON EVIDENCE:

The law of evidence governs the use of testimony such as oral or written statements or for example an affidavit. Evidence includes exhibits, for example physical objects or other documentary material which is admissible. Take note that the law on evidence also gives us the rule on hearsay, circumstantial evidence, burden of proof and so on. The rules on evidence displayed in the movie To Kill a Mockingbird are the following: Direct Examination of witness A direct examination is an examination in chief of the witness of a party presenting him. In direct examination, only those facts relevant to the issue can be examined by the lawyer. Questions such as who, what, when, why, where and how can be a basic question to ask in a direct examination. However, in direct examination, a leading question by the examiner is not allowed.

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Cross-examination of witness Another basic rule on evidence which can be seen in the movie is the cross-examination process of a witness. The cross-examination is basically the examination of the witness of the opposing party. The purposes of such cross-examination are the following: a. to elicit something from the witness b. to weaken the forceof what had said in the direct testimony c. to show that, in his past life, the witness is unworthy of belief. Cross-examination is a right and not a mere privilege. However, this right may be waived if the witness or cross-examination has

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EVIDENCE

concluded, he cannot anymore enforce his right to cross-examine, subject to certain exceptions. Furthermore, leading questions are allowed to be asked by the cross-examiner but misleading is not allowed. Re-direct examination of a witness A re-direct examination is done to restore the force of the testimony given in the direct examination but however became weak after the cross-examination by the counsel. The scope of the questions or examination in the re-direct is limited only to matters testified to in the cross-examination.

THE SCENE/S PORTRAYING THE RULES ON EVIDENCE: