Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials is one of the most controversial periods in the U.S. history. The event occurred in the colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. Nearly 200 people who lived in Salam village were accused of practicing witchcraft or the magic of devil, nineteen persons were hanged and one person was pressed to death by heavy stones. Finally, the colony confessed mistaken and guilty. More importantly, they passed a bill restoring the rights and good names for those who were accused and compensated to their heirs. Studying history through books is not always a perfect way. In my point of view, we should find sources of history information to get the better perspective of the event. Thus, by evaluating and analyzing the diverse sources, we can understand more many aspects of the event. On April 3, Sarah Cloyce was accused by protecting for her sister Rebecca against the prosecution of practicing witchcraft. Later, Sarah and Elizabeth Proctor were named in a warrant for arrest by the authority. A week later, the magistrates John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin examined the lawsuit. All the witnesses presented in the trial and accused intensely Sarah of being a witchcraft because of defending for her sister. She called those accusations as “grievous liar” and, then, did not confess (Lewis n.d.). We can see that someone supporting witches also consider to be a witch. Thus, no one could courageously stood for the justice. Additionally, while petitioning the Court for a “fayre and equal hearing” of the evidence from both sides, the Court argued that they the accused had no opportunity to defend for themselves and were not allowed any counsel (Lewis n.d.). If the convicted defendant had not confess, they would definitely die. The only choice they had here is to protect themselves by proving to be innocent. But the Court did allow them to use any evidence to defend. This is truly an injustice or inequality dark side of the temporary judicial system. People

References: "Spectral Evidence Law & Legal Definition" Uslegal. N.p., n.d. Sun. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://definitions.uslegal.com/s/spectral-evidence>. Thomas, George. The Supreme Court on Trial: How the American Justice System Sacrifices Innocent Defendants. Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 2008. Print. Le Beau, B (n.d.) The Carey Document: On the Trail of a Salem Death Warrant Retrieved February 24, 2013 from http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/carey.html Lewis, J