SPECTRAL EVIDENCE
Supernatural Forces
Spectral evidence dealt with elements unseen by human eyes such as spirits and supernatural occurrences. The allowance of spectral evidence was pushed for by Cotton Mather. This could have been a promotional technique for his book "Memorable Provinces" or he could have truly believed that there was validity in the supernatural evidence. Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams quickly grasped the idea of spectral evidence and utilized it as a tactical advantage. They threw fits in and out of court claiming an accused person was sending their spirit to torment them either physically or emotionally. They would stare into space in the middle of an examination, claiming an apparition was present in the court. Others joined the ban wagon rapidly and followed their example. Whether or not the girls were making credible statements, those witnessing these episodes convinced themselves they were experiencing the same symptoms. This caused the amount of spectral evidence to grow and made the accusations more plausible in the eyes of the judges.
Lack of concrete evidence
The issue spectral evidence cause was that it was merely subjective. The amount of proof and believability of it was determined only by the "afflicted". The judges did not experience the fits the accusers did and therefore based their verdicts solely off of the accusers' words. There was no concrete, visible evidence that could prove the innocent guilty. The allowance of spectral evidence caused the unnecessary bloodshed of the trials. As the amount of convicted witches increased, the belief in the reliability of spectral evidence decreased. The courts began to question how good, reputable members of the community could possibly be under the devil's control. This questioning led to the eventual exclusion of spectral evidence.
The Omission of Spectral Evidence
Increase Mather, the father of Cotton Mather, wrote Cases of Conscience which examined and question the reliability of spectral evidence. This along with another literary work was submitted to the judge presiding over the trials. These works and the newly doubting tone of the court brought about the elimination of spectral evidence. After it was eliminated, the court re-tried some of the accused or simply reviewed their cases. The court began to pardon and release the majority of those accused. The Salem Witch Trials came to its evident close after the exclusion of spectral evidence. Despite this, the damage was done and the blood lost could not be regained.
Spectral evidence dealt with elements unseen by human eyes such as spirits and supernatural occurrences. The allowance of spectral evidence was pushed for by Cotton Mather. This could have been a promotional technique for his book "Memorable Provinces" or he could have truly believed that there was validity in the supernatural evidence. Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams quickly grasped the idea of spectral evidence and utilized it as a tactical advantage. They threw fits in and out of court claiming an accused person was sending their spirit to torment them either physically or emotionally. They would stare into space in the middle of an examination, claiming an apparition was present in the court. Others joined the ban wagon rapidly and followed their example. Whether or not the girls were making credible statements, those witnessing these episodes convinced themselves they were experiencing the same symptoms. This caused the amount of spectral evidence to grow and made the accusations more plausible in the eyes of the judges.
Lack of concrete evidence
The issue spectral evidence cause was that it was merely subjective. The amount of proof and believability of it was determined only by the "afflicted". The judges did not experience the fits the accusers did and therefore based their verdicts solely off of the accusers' words. There was no concrete, visible evidence that could prove the innocent guilty. The allowance of spectral evidence caused the unnecessary bloodshed of the trials. As the amount of convicted witches increased, the belief in the reliability of spectral evidence decreased. The courts began to question how good, reputable members of the community could possibly be under the devil's control. This questioning led to the eventual exclusion of spectral evidence.
The Omission of Spectral Evidence
Increase Mather, the father of Cotton Mather, wrote Cases of Conscience which examined and question the reliability of spectral evidence. This along with another literary work was submitted to the judge presiding over the trials. These works and the newly doubting tone of the court brought about the elimination of spectral evidence. After it was eliminated, the court re-tried some of the accused or simply reviewed their cases. The court began to pardon and release the majority of those accused. The Salem Witch Trials came to its evident close after the exclusion of spectral evidence. Despite this, the damage was done and the blood lost could not be regained.