Salem Witch Trials In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

In the Salem Witch Trials Abigail, Betty, Mary, and Mercy were the only evidence needed to get convicted in the adapted play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. It became their word against yours and the girls had all the power because they were well trusted within the community. The same goes for this news story about José Antonio Zúñiga, or known more commonly as his nickname Toño, he was sentenced to jail for up to 20 years for a crime he did not commit due to no one doing a follow up on his story and just assuming that the police caught the right guy. In today’s society there are many flaws in the legal system, whether it is in Salem in the 1600s or in today’s time in Mexico; people will assume the worst of the situation and it may not be the
easiest to sway the opinions of others.
A corrupt government is when someone in their own power puts themselves before the justice of others. In the documentary “Presumed Guilty” an anonymous police officer admitted that some personnel either extend the charges or make them up completely so the criminal stays behind bars longer, keeping the streets safer. Using this flawed logic people, like Toño, are kept behind bars for longer than necessary. Since Toño was arrested by three police officers and not truly given a fair trial, he was found guilty. The judge and the officers never confirmed his alibi even though he did have one; he had no other way to prove to anyone that he was innocent.
The corrupt government of Mexico and what the town of Salem had of a government both lead to unfair trials.
In Salem the only evidence that sent people away for witchcraft was that Abigail, Betty, Mercy, and Mary called out people and they did so for no apparent reason. Since these girls had all the power when people went on trial, all the girls had to do was faint and say that they were being controlled by the supernatural forces. The people on trial had no way to prove that they were innocent. Most of the people convicted just succumb to being a witch because there was no other way to get out; if one denied being a witch, they would be hanged. If admitted to being a witch, they would be
questioned
When Elizabeth Proctor was put on trial for witch craft because Abigail called her name out because she was vindictive for her getting fired, and also since she had an affair with Mr. Proctor she wanted her out of the picture. While in court Abigail saw Mary, who works for the Proctor’s now, making a doll for Mrs. Proctor and she used that to her advantage. Later Abigail says she has been stabbed by her spirit and was found with a pin in her side. Elizabeth had to prove her innocence with claims of Mary made the doll and Abigail could have seen it in court to prover her innocence; since it was well trusted of Abigail and she had all the power, it was easy for Mrs. Proctor to be assumed guilty.
Under the impression that Toño was guilty, his input on him being arrested became invalid and no one would listen to what he had to say. The police entrusted more with the witness, the cousin of the victim, because he was not under trial to be placed in prison. The film makers of the documentary, when re-reading his case files, noticed that they lawyer he had on his first trial was fake. Due to the fake licenses of the lawyer, Toño was allowed a retrial. With that it meant that the witness, Victor, was called back to court to explain over what he thought he saw. During the retrial, Toño’s lawyer asked Victor to describe Toño and he was unsure of what he looked like exactly but could remember the street gang that he was asked to identify. Toño was given the same judge as his original trial and with that he lost the advantage of a new slate. It seemed the judge had sided with the witness when he started defending him against the new lawyer.
Salem had no political system set up to have the accused be defended.
Even though Mexico has a legal system, there are many flaws to it. When Toño was arrested he honestly thought he was being kidnapped. The police threw him in the car and didn’t read him his rights, adding another layer of iniquity.
Proving innocence can be hard. In most cases you need to have an alibi, but the world is not perfect and it may not be enough. Although, one has right to a fair trial it is never truly given. People will be judgmental and will not listen to what you say if you are considered condemn to society. Abigail and her girls were highly respected and made it very hard to be innocent in Arthurs Millers The Crucible. Now Toño was in a similar situation, he had evidence to support him he was not given the fair chance to use it in his court
case.