Circumstantial evidence means that the person is being accused based on evidence that cannot be backed up. In other words, circumstantial evidence means that you can infer that the person did something wrong, but you can't prove it outright.
In Tom's case, he went into Mayella's house, so he was there around the time that she was attacked. Also, Bob Ewell saw Tom and Mayella kiss, which was definitely not allowed back then. That doesn't mean that Tom was the one who attacked Mayella, but that is how the prosecution makes their accusation. Tom's "guilt" is based on his presence in the Ewell home, the kiss, and his race. The jury feels that he should not have been in a white woman's home when she was home alone, and they also feel that since he is African-American he is more likely to hurt someone or try to rape Mayella than anyone else would be. They do not consider that Mayella kissed Tom, but assume it was the other way around. This is why they convict him, even though they do not have actual proof that Tom hurt Mayella.
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