Salem Witch Trial Research Paper

In a matter of time five people were hanged in July. One was Rebecca Nurse. Her execution was a pivotal moment in Salem Witch Trials. Nurse was a well-respected and well-loved member of the community. When first arrested the community signed a petition for her release. Although she was not released people were confident she was not guilty and was to be released. The first verdict, as expected, was not guilty, but upon hearing the verdict the afflicted girls began throwing unusual fits in the courtroom. Afterward, Judge Stoughton asked the jury to rethink the verdict. A week later the jury changed their verdict to guilty. After Rebecca’s execution on July 19, the residents of Salem began to questioning the validity of the trials, but not enough to stop the trials. However, not all people believed in witchcraft or supported the trial Local farmer John Procter scoffed at the idea of witch

On October 29 Phips dismissed court to hear cases. The fifty-two people in jail were tried at a new court, Superior Court of Judiculture, the following winter. With no more spectral evidence most of the remaining prisoners were found not guilty or released due to the lack of evidence. Those found guilty were pardoned by Governor Phips and were released in May 1693. On January 15, 1697, Salem held a day of fasting in honor of the victims known as “Day of Official Humiliation.” In 1711 the colony passed a bill restoring the names of the accused and paid 600 euros in restitution to the heirs. However, not all victims’ families wanted their accused members named. In 1957 the state of Massachusetts officially apologized for the trials and cleared the names of the remaining victims that were not in 1711 law. Colonists were ashamed and remorseful for the trials. Judge Samuel Sewall confessed his errors and issued a public apology. In 1706 afflicted Ann Putman Jr. issued a public apology for her role in the