Why did Sheriff Heck Tate want people to think Bob Ewell fell on his own knife?

Answer 1

Boo Radley pulled him off Scout, and threw him to the ground, there he fell on his knife. == Sheriff Heck Tate gave a clear demonstration of it: Mr Ewell was careless and drunk, and he tripped and fell on it. But the fact was, although not stated explicitly, Arthur "Boo" Radley stabbed Ewell to protect the children, and Sheriff Tate lied about it (tactfully) to protect Boo from the spotlight. This is made clear when Atticus tells Boo, "Thank you for my children, Arthur."

Answer 2

Sheriff Heck Tate wanted to protect Boo Radley, who had actually killed Bob Ewell in defense of Scout and Jem. He believed that it was best for Boo to remain anonymous and not face the public scrutiny and attention that would come with being labeled a hero for killing Ewell. By attributing Ewell's death to an accident, Tate sought to preserve Boo's privacy and allow him to live a quiet life.

Answer 3

He said this to avoid young Jem getting involved in a criminal case, which would likely involve Boo Radley as well. As the sheriff sees it, it was self-defense, and Ewell got what he deserved.

Answer 4

The reason why is because he didn't want people to know the truth that Boo Radley stabbed him. If the people of Maycomb knew then Boo Radley wouldn't be able to stand the pressure of becoming a 'hero'. Tate knew it was like killing a Mockingbird.

Answer 5

Sheriff Tate knows that Boo Radley has had a bad storyline in the town. People fear him. But Tate knows Boo is simple-minded. Being charged for murder would be unfair and unjust, given how cruel Bob Ewell was in his life compared to Boo Radley's childlike nature.

Answer 6

so that he can protect boo radley from all the publicity he would have to endure if people knew that he saved scout and jem