Why does this trial draw so much interest from the town? How do you think it is different from other trials that have taken place in Maycomb? How does the book suggest this trial is different even from other cases in which black men have been accused of c

The trial draws attention because the defendant is black and accused of sexual assault on a white woman. This is the first time, Maycomb has prosecuted such a case. Reverend Sykes does, however, say “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man…”