In chapter 17, both Sheriff Tate and Bob Ewell take the witness stand. During Sheriff Tate's testimony, he behaves respectfully and answers both Mr. Gilmer and Atticus's questions to the best of his ability. Even though Sheriff Tate initially confuses which side of Mayella's face was bruised, he certainly has nothing to hide and offers an honest testimony by telling the truth. Sheriff Tate testifies that when he arrived at Bob Ewell's home, Mayella was lying on the ground and was beaten badly. However, he did not call a doctor and recalls that most of the bruises were to the right side of Mayella's face.

In contrast, Bob Ewell is portrayed as a hostile witness, who is disrespectful and is warned by Judge Taylor several times about his informal, offensive responses. Judge Taylor has to immediately address Bob Ewell's "obscene speculations" at the beginning of his testimony and is forced to hammer his gavel after Bob Ewell says,

"I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!" (Lee, 175).

When Atticus begins his cross-examination, Scout notices that Bob regards him with "haughty suspicion" and is reluctant to answer any of his questions. Atticus does not ask Bob any difficult questions, and Bob testifies that he agrees with Sheriff Tate's description of Mayella's injuries. However, Atticus makes Bob Ewell sign his signature and determines that Bob is left-handed. Bob Ewell then curses at Atticus by calling him a tricky lawyer and raises his voice before he is done testifying. Overall, Sheriff Tate is depicted as respectful, honest, and compliant, while Bob Ewell is portrayed as hostile, offensive, and deceitful.