THE MAYCOMB TRIBUNE

24th May 1934

“Killing of savage negro rapist justified”, says

prison warden of Enfield Prison Farm
___ _________
By Joseph Douglas

On Sunday, Tom Robinson, who stirred up much heated

debate after accused of raping a white woman,
was fatally shot to death while trying to escape
from prison. He was pronounced dead on the spot
at 2.47 pm, after his attempt to escape the prison
failed.

Tom Robinson, 25 years of age, had

previously appeared in court, for allegedly raping
young woman Mayella Ewell while he was in her (Above) Tom
Robinson, accused of
home. He was accused of choking and then raping white woman
Mayella Ewell, was
abusing her physically and sexually, while shot while trying to
escape from prison
volunteering to do manual labour for her.

Tom Robinson was defended by Atticus Finch, whose

questions caused Mayella to break down and refuse to answer
any more questions. He pleaded for the jury to be impartial in
their verdict of the case.

“But there is one way in this country in which all men are
created equal – there is one human institution that makes a
pauper equal to a rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an
Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college
president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court,” declared
Atticus after the trial.
 32 year old John Smith, who was the guard that shot Tom
Robinson, told The Maycomb Tribune that he had shot Tom
Robinson after seeing him attempting to escape Enfield Prison
Farm by scaling a fence. He said, “We were in the exercise yard,
when Tom Robinson suddenly took off running towards the fence.
I then attempted to stop him by firing a few shots, which is what
every other guard would have done.”

According to medical officials at the scene, Tom was shot

approximately 17 times in the back while trying to escape, which
caused his death. However, prison warden William Parker
defended this, arguing, “If we had let this savage run free, who
knows how many other women he would have violated?”

William added, “The arm of the law is fair and just, and I
believe that the guard’s actions were justified, as we all know
that sometimes, the best way to fight fire is with fire.”

The death of Tom Robinson stirred up much controversy, as

it is known that Tom Robinson’s left arm was crippled, and if his
arm was fine, he would have made it over the fence in time.

Atticus expressed disappointment on this issue, claiming

that there was a good chance for Tom Robinson to be declared
innocent. He has refused any further comment.

At this point of time, not many details on this incident are

known. However, what we know is, justice has once again
triumphed, and the citizens of Maycomb can rest peacefully in
knowing they are once again safe from this savage criminal.

joseph_douglas@tmt.com