Examples Of Injustice Against The Salem Witch

Injustice against the Salem Witches Through the years of 1400 and 1800 a series of events took place where there was an injustice toward a group of people that were believed to be witches. These people had to turn on each other in order to survive. The fear of dying only led them to fight for survival even if it meant blaming innocent people. Although there were a lot of religious principles, people also believed witches were real. The town perceived them as evil people, capable of doing harm to others. They believed that the witches had supernatural powers. Not having a structured court system during the 19th century was a major decision in the way the witches were treated. Presenting evidence against the witches that should have never

Not because she was a witch but because she couldn’t pay her bills, therefore she was an easy target. People came forward against her declaring that they had seen her image doing things. Recalling events like seeing her beside their beds, and others accusing her of bad luck. “A villager named Samuel Grey told the court that Bishop visited his bed at night and tormented him” (Douglas). What was going through people's mind when testifying? Bad luck! We all have felt it at one point that we have had bad luck, but to blame it on witchcraft would just be wrong. At the end, she had no chance and was found guilty. It wasn't a fair trial. Her punishment was death and Bishop was hanged on June 10, 1692. By the first trial a judge, Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned. Which makes you think that maybe he was truly affected or in disbelief by all that was said and done. He wanted nothing to do with this. While the trials continued it was extremely evident that people would not see justice. The “court of oyer and terminer” continued with their trials and the number of people that were hanged had risen, including one that had been put to death by being pressed under stones. If they refused trial their punishment was “peine et fort, or pressing.” These trials had become a true tragedy for people. Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and children accused of making a pact with the devil and having their lives taken away. At the end, Douglas points out that nineteen convicted witches were executed, at least four accused witches had died in prison, and one man, Giles Corey, had been pressed to