To kill a mocking bird

The trial is about the most taboo issue in the South. A black man having relations with a white woman is considered bad enough but the rape of a white woman is considered unspeakable. I think the town, the white population,  is well aware what the Ewells are capable of but still cannot fathom even the suggestion of Tom raping Mayella. The themes around the case are sensational in nature so the usual sleepy town is actually quite excited about it.