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Interesting Criminal Law Cases: Witch Trials
In the past witchcraft was the most feared thing, people were superstitious and afraid of mythical creatures such as witches and warlocks. Even though there is no evidence that witchcraft and magic really existed, people were convicted and murdered if there was a slightest indication that they are using magic. Witchcraft was considered as communication with spirits, blasphemy and any other kind of unusual behavior, mental illness often had people executed because of witchcraft. Other than adult people, kids and animals were also executed if there was a suspicion that there were into some kind of sorcery.
When we speak of witches, first thing that comes to your mind is probably witches of Salem, or burning witches. The Salem witch trials that happened in 1692 consisted of numerous hearings and prosecutions. Executions of nearly twenty persons convicted of witchcraft were held at the end of this process, all but one woman were hanged. These twenty persons were mostly women. Religious extremism and false accusations led to death of many innocent people and knowing about history of criminal law and trials can help people to learn on their mistakes and never make mistakes like this again. Witch trials are inspiration for movies and TV shows nowadays, but it was a great tragedy in the past.
When there was an indication that death or illness were caused by witchcraft, accuser complained to authorities which if there was a reasonable doubt brought alleged to interrogation. Next step was going to superior court where witnesses made their statements before the grand jury. Alleged ‘witches’ were convicted of afflicting with witchcraft or for making the pact with the devil. First in series of executions of Salem Witches was Bridget Bishop, she was convicted on June 2nd, 1692. and executed on June 10. After Bridget, five persons were executed on July 19th, another five on August 19th, and eight on September 22nd. Several women who were pregnant were also convicted but their sentence was never carried out or they were executed after the delivery.
For all of this ‘witchcraft’ behaviors there was some kind of medical explanation, majority of ‘witches’ were mentally ill, or drugged with an ingredient of LSD that you could often find in rye bread.
Salem Witch Trials | History Channel
In today’s world, if you find yourself under the influence of drugs, you may not be arrested for witchcraft, but you will certainly be arrested for using drugs or driving under the influence of the same. In that case, put an experienced more info right here
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Interesting Criminal Law Cases: Scottsboro boys
Criminal law was and still is the most important branch of law in general, it protects most important human values such as life, health, property and so on. Criminal law cases are probably the most interesting ones because of all the trials to the most notorious criminals and also because of cruelest and the most bizarre ways of punishing criminals which have existed since Roman Law. In the past there were a lot of unfair trials which led to death of persons who weren’t guilty at all, this also unfair trial to nine Scottsboro boys was the trial that changed position of persons accused for crimes.
Nine African-American teenagers were arrested after few white boys accused them of attacking them, two girls were later claiming that several black boys attacked and raped them. Police arrested these nine boys who saw one another for the first time in that train, they were aged from 13 to 19. One was nearly blind and one suffered from syphilis, two of them were 13 year old boys.
Trial was colored with unfairness, there were all-white juries, rushed trials, changing of the judges and as it later turned out it was a frame up by these two girls Victoria Price and Ruby Bites. Ruby later admitted that all of that was a frame up but Victoria stuck to her story.
All except 13 year old boys were sentenced to death two times. At first all nine of them were defended by some cheap real estate attorney that their parents had money to hire. When the trials were repeated third and the last time 4 of the boys were released of accusations, the one suffering from syphilis, the one nearly blind and the kids. One of them was shot and terminally injured in prison while waiting his sentence and therefore released, two fled from the prison and one remained there. All except Clarence Norris were later arrested for other crimes or killed. Clarence Norris went into hiding and 1976 was pardoned and found not guilty for this crimes. He wrote an autobiography on this theme.
Scottsboro: An American Tragedy
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Interesting Criminal Law Cases: The Dingo trial
Azaria Chamberlain was a baby whose life was allegedly taken by a wild dog in August 1980 when she and her family went on a camping t0rip. Baby girl’s parents Michael and Lindy said that dingo, which was situated near camping area, took the baby away. However Lindy Chamberlain was found guilty for murder, she was serving her sentence for three years straight, when baby’s clothes appeared near the dingo lair. After 32 years from Azaria’s death, her parent’s story was confirmed.
Prosecution alleged that Lindy cut her daughter’s throat in the front seat of a car and then put her body in large camera case, then she returned to other campers and when she headed to her tent cried out that her baby was taken by a dingo. When other campers went for search, she disposed of the body.
One of the witnesses testified that she had heard baby girl crying in the time she had to be dead already, but it didn’t help Lindy’s defense. Defense’s case was rejected by jury, Lindy Chamberlain was convicted to life in prison. Michael Chamberlain, father of the baby was found guilty as an accomplice after the murder and he got a probation of 18 months.
Dingo Case |Trial by Media
In November 1983 Lindy made an appeal to High Court on the ground that verdict was unsatisfactory and unsafe but it was declined by majority of judges in a short time.
In 1986, police searched area near the dingo lairs, they searched for the bones dingo’s took away and found Azaria’s jacket, for her mother claimed was on her. The Minister ordered immediate release of Lindy Chamberlain and reopening of the case. Court unanimously overturned Michael and Lindy’s convictions and they were later awarded with A$1.3 million in compensation for wrongful imprisonment. Their legal expenses were thrice higher.
If you’re facing criminal charges in the Tucson area – whether you’re innocent or guilty – you need an experienced Criminal lawyer tucson to protect your rights and to offer sound legal advice and aggressive representation. Otherwise you can end up just like Lindy Chamberlain.