There was evidence that showed that the victim, Mayella was attacked. Mayella had several injuries on her body, including bruises on the right side of her face, and marks around her neck, suggesting strangulation. Even though there was no medical evidence that a rape had been committed, people ignored it and assumed it was true, they were not ready to acknowledge that a Negro would not be guilty.
Atticus shows that he had made some progress with the evidence. Earlier in the trial, Atticus had asked Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell to write his name. As he is writing his name the judge points out that his left hand is his dominant hand. Implicated in the fact that Mayella’s injuries were on the rights of her face and he was left handed.
“If her right eye was blacked and she was beaten mostly on the right side of the face, it would tend to show that a left handed person did it.” - page 184.
Atticus also proves that Tom Robinson was unable to use his left hand from when he had got it caught in a cotton gin. This could then show that the person who attacked Mayella was left handed, so it was likely that her own father attacked her. It also shows that Tom Robinson is crippled and is also unable to use both hands, therefore it is doubtful for him to strangle Mayella. Atticus is able to make this clear to everyone at the trial. These are all signs which show that Atticus has made some progress with the evidence given at the trial.
Another sign of progress Atticus made was successfully getting the situation to be discussed in court, as usually a coloured person would be charged as guilty without any discussion taking place.
At the end of the jury all the Black individuals present at the trial stand up for Atticus as he leaves, as they realise the progress he has made. Tom Robinsons family also sent him gifts as they have recognised his progress.
Miss Maudie also realises the progress Atticus has made and explain to the children, “Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought tot myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s a baby step, but it’s a step.” This explains that even though little progress has been made, some was made.
