Why does Link Deas interrupt the trial in chapter 19 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Racial separation—both imposed, legal segregation (de jure segregation) and socially negotiated, quotidian behavior (de facto segregation)—shapes all aspects of life in Maycomb. After Tom is accused and brought to trial, he faces an all-white jury. The racial tensions in the town grow stronger each day, so much so that Atticus is frightened for his children’s safety. Throughout the novel, there is almost no black/white interaction on the same social level. The author makes it seem like the division between whites and African Americans in Maycomb is virtually absolute. Then, in a brief twist, Lee calls our attention to a white person who does not fit the typical stereotypes of the day.

Although Link Deas makes a paternalistic comment about not having had “a speck o’ trouble” from Tom, by doing so he conveys that he values Tom as a worker. Later in the book, we learn that Deas has been arranging work and income for Tom’s wife while he is incarcerated, confirming the author’s intention to show Deas as compassionate to his African American workers’ plights. Lee is aiming to convince the reader that not every white person in Maycomb (or other, nonfictional towns that resemble it) is on one side of the racial divide or the other. Deas seems to stand for Lee’s optimism that overall attitudes can change.

There are several reasons why Lee might do this. The most basic is, it shows how high passions are running. There's no reason to interrupt a trial unless you're overcome with emotion. It adds excitement. Next, it shows that Atticus is not alone, and that others know Tom is a good man and unlikely to do what he's accused of. Finally, with the judge's reaction, it shows the effort the community is will go to trying to keep order.

Who is Link Deas in To Kill a Mockingbird and what comment does he add to the proceedings?

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr. Link Deas is Tom Robinson's employer and a man who demonstrates an ability to rise above the racist beliefs of the community. During Tom's trial, Deas stands up and exclaims:

I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy's worked for me eight years an' I ain't had a speck o' trouble outa him. Not a speck.

Judge Taylor orders Deas to sit down and be quiet and to wait to say anything of that sort until he under oath. While this is a valiant effort to defend Tom's character, Deas ultimately is risking a mistrial; Judge Taylor orders the court reporter to strike out Deas' comments and instructs the jury to ignore them, as well.

Despite the efforts of Atticus to prove Tom innocent, he is found guilty; Tom is later killed after trying to escape from prison while waiting on his appeal. Deas does his best to aid the Robinson family by providing work for his widow, Helen, and by defending her from the harassment of Bob Ewell.

What does Link Deas say during his interruption of the testimony?

Link Deas is one of the few white citizens in Maycomb who supports Atticus and believes that Tom Robinson is telling the truth. Link Deas is Tom's former employer, who is willing to look past race and exercise integrity by standing up for Tom Robinson during the trial. In chapter 19, Tom Robinson takes the witness stand and testifies that he did not assault or rape Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson tells the truth about what happened on the evening of November 21st and testifies that he ran out of the house after Mayella made sexual advances towards him. Before Mr. Gilmer begins his cross-examination, Link Deas interrupts the court by standing up and saying,

"I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy's worked for me eight years an' I ain't had a speck o' trouble outa him. Not a speck" (Lee, 199).

Link Deas is immediately chastised by Judge Taylor, who furiously bangs his gavel and warns Link about charging him with contempt of court for any additional interruptions. Link Deas's defense of Tom Robinson emphasizes Tom's innocent, honest nature and positive reputation throughout the community.

What does Link Deas say about Tom Robinson during his trial in To Kill a Mockingbird?

While Tom Robinson is on the witness stand during his trial, Link Deas stands up and, in attests to Tom's character by declaring Tom has worked for him eight years without any problems.

Mr. Deas is one of the merchants of Maycomb and a decent man who realizes the ridiculousness of Tom's trial. He is so incensed that this hard-working, decent man has been made a scapegoat, and it causes him to stand up and declare, 

I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy's worked for me eight years an' I ain't had a speck o'trouble outa him. Not a speck.

As a businessman, Link Deas has a sense of which citizens of Maycomb are decent people and which ones are not trustworthy or of good character. He is cognizant of the attitudes of the majority of citizens in Maycomb, so he fears Tom will not be treated fairly during the trial. The unfairness of Tom's arrest has already been proven since he was apprehended simply on the word of Bob Ewell, a known drunkard and man of low character who neglects and abuses his own children.

Although he is well-meaning, Mr. Deas disrupts the proceedings of the trial, so Judge Taylor must scold him because he could cause a mistrial. For this reason, the judge has Mr. Deas removed from the courtroom.

Why does Link Deas speak out in court in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Mr. Link Deas is a man of integrity as well as a Maycomb businessman who likes to keep his town peaceful and his business reputable. Therefore, when he hears the outrageous accusations against his employee Tom Robinson made by the reprobate Bob Ewell and his daughter, as well as the harsh interrogation of Tom by Mr. Gilmer, Mr. Deas feels compelled to speak out.

That Mr. Deas is concerned about the case against Tom Robinson has been previously evinced when he is among the men who come one Sunday to talk with Atticus. He is worried about the Old Sarum bunch and wonders if the trial could be moved to another location:

"...I'm worried about...can't you get a what is it, Heck?"
"Change of venue," said Mr. Tate, the sheriff.

Certainly, it is an impulsive act of Mr. Deas that he swiftly stands and speaks up for Tom in court. But, knowing that Tom is quiet, honest, and faithful, Mr. Deas is incensed when he hears the vicious accusations of Bob Ewell. Then, when Mr. Gilmer insinuates that Tom's having run off when Bob Ewell came home demonstrates his guilt, Mr. Deas stands and defends Tom:

"That boy's worked for me eight years an' I ain't had a speck o'trouble outa him. Not a speck." (Ch. 15)

Immediately Judge Taylor silences Mr. Deas and orders him from the courtroom lest a mistrial be declared.