Tom Robinson, a new inmate at the state prison recently convicted of rape, was shot and killed by multiple prison guards after an attempted escape attempt. Several guards confirmed that they saw Tom break into a “blind, raving charge” straight towards the fence during the prisoners’ exercise period and attempted to climb the fence. The guards say that they called to him and warned him several times, even firing warning shots into the air before taking aim at Tom and firing to kill. He had made it to the top of the fence
before his body was hit by a total of 17 bullets. Tom Robinson only had one good arm, due to an accident as a child that rendered his left arm useless; the guards believe that if not for this he mostly likely would have escaped.
Helen Robinson, Tom’s widow was informed of Tom’s death by Atticus Finch and his aide Calpurnia. Mr. Finch was Tom’s defense lawyer at Tom’s trial as well as a firm believer in Tom’s innocence. Mr. Finch wished to appeal Tom’s case to the higher courts and believed that a different jury would see Tom’s case much differently.
Tom’s death brings much pain to his family as well as the entire Negro community of Maycomb. Tom’s funeral will be held at the church that Tom’s family attended, led by Reverend Sykes. The funeral and burial are scheduled for this Sunday.