Opinion & Entertainment

In criminal investigations, it’s often said that the only ingredients required for a crime are means, motive, and opportunity. “Means” refers to the capacity to commit the act—tools, access, physical ability, and resources. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson by showing he lacked the physical ability to commit the alleged crime, his left hand was crippled, while the attacker used their left hand. Though Robinson is still convicted, the case underscores how critical the “means” is in determining guilt or innocence. Granted, he is still found guilty, but that is another issue for another day.