Mr. Underwood’s meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.
– Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 25. Scout comes to an understanding of what The Maycomb Tribune editor Mr. Underwood meant in his editorial on the tragic Tom Robinson. Even though due process appeared to have been carried out, something else was at work here that condemned this man – racism.