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Heck Tate, the sheriff, Mr Underwood the 'Maycomb Tribune' editor and the judge at Tom Robinson's trial, Judge Taylor all seem to have some empathy with Tom's plight and each go some way towards breaking down the barriers of entrenched racism which exists in Maycomb. Heck Tate decides that it is prudent to rule Bob Ewell's death an accident as a bid to assert natural justice. Mr Underwood writes a scathing editorial about the senseless death of Tom Robinson. Judge Taylor manages the cortroom with respect to all participants, though he cannot control the verdict of the jury.