Final answer:
Mr. Tate insists Jem did not kill Bob Ewell, arguing instead that Boo Radley was responsible, to protect Boo and uphold moral justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contrary to what Atticus thinks in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr. Tate insists that Jem did not kill Bob Ewell. Sheriff Heck Tate argues that it was Boo Radley who delivered the fatal blow, taking a protective stance over the Finch children. Tate's assertion is based on a moral conviction as well as evidence at the scene, and he urges Atticus to accept this version of events to protect Boo from the public spotlight and the justice system.