In Tom Robinson’s trial, many of you said that if you were a jury member, you would give Tom Robinson a guilty verdict even if you know he is innocent. Many of you also argued that you would give him a not guilty verdict despite the ostracization and risk to Jem and Scout. Write an argumentative essay on what you would do as a jury. Assume that every jury member wants to find Tom Robinson guilty and they are asking you to come to a decision. What say you?
“In the name of God, do your duty.” Atticus Finch’s closing argument has ended, and it is now time for the jury to decide whether Tom Robinson is guilty or innocent. The members of the jury start the discussion, and every jury member wants to find Tom Robinson guilty. They ask me to come to a decision. I know that he is innocent and for a second I think of saying he is, but in the end, I decide to give him a guilty verdict, like everyone else. I would give Tom Robinson a guilty verdict even though he is innocent, and there are several reasons to support my decision.
A reason why I would give Tom Robinson a guilty verdict is because I would get criticized if I gave Tom Robinson a not guilty verdict. In a society and time where racial discrimination was common, people would point fingers and criticize me for supporting a black man even though he is proven to be innocent’ Although it is the right thing to do, people will have a bad impression of me. Since I don’t want criticism towards me, and there is nothing good I would earn from doing it, I wouldn’t give Tom Robinson an innocent verdict.
Another reason is that I wouldn’t affect the result. Since I am the only one giving Tom Robinson a not guilty verdict, he would get a guilty verdict anyway. In addition, in the American jury system, all the jury members have to agree to reach a verdict. In this case, it would be impossible for me to convince the others, I would have to agree on the guilty verdict, too. Therefore, because my decision won’t change the result and verdict, wanting an opposing verdict from the other members is useless.
Finally, Tom Robinson would be treated unfairly regardless of my decision. Even though I do want to give him a not guilty verdict, he would still be treated unfairly because he is African American. In addition, he would be treated even more unjustly as he was accused of raping a white woman. The only difference my decision would make would be that he wouldn’t be executed. However, if I was Tom Robinson, I would rather die than be criticized, discriminated against, and live an unjust life.
In conclusion, I would give Tom Robinson a guilty verdict like the others even though inside I know he is innocent. I believe that most of the other members of the jury will say they want a guilty verdict for Tom Robinson for the same reasons I mentioned: to avoid criticism, as their choices wouldn’t affect the result, and as society’s attitude towards Tom Robinson would be the same. Although Tom Robinson doesn’t deserve execution, I still have to consider the negative consequences I would experience. Therefore, for my own good, I would give Tom Robinson a guilty verdict.
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