Mayella Ewell was completely free to speak the truth as is anyone else who takes the stand in a court of law. What comes into play, though, is the fact that she may not have felt safe speaking the truth. Raised by an alcoholic and abusive father, Mayella may have feared for her own life if she didn't back up her father's claims. Secondly, Mayella is enjoying the attention that she is receiving. Not allowed to go out into public, kept isolated from anyone her own age, Mayella is suddenly gaining the attention of the entire town. She likes it and is loathe to lose it by confessing that she was the one that made a move on Tom.
