Trial Reaction

 State V. Mann Mock Trial

    The trial heard was between John Mann and the attempted murder of the slave Lydia. The accusation against Mann was that he had tried to kill Lydia while she was on loan to him from another slave owner. the trial sought to conclude how to continue with the accusation and how to go about it.

   

    Mann had been beating Lydia and during this particularly bad beating, she tried to escape him. This ended with him shooting her in the back which brings us to the trial we heard. The state had charged Mann with a murder attempt and fined him $10 for it. After appealing the fine, Mann the arguments heard were the effects of this appealing. 

    Mann's argument was that since he didn't actually kill Lydia, he technically did nothing wrong. They used a Bible verse which said that masters could "beat their slaves" as much as they please as long as the slave does not die. He also argued that since she was trying to escape him, he was within his rights to shoot her in order to "protect others from a potential threat." Since he did not know what she would do while running he supposedly acted on defense.

    On the States side, we heard a majority biblical arguments and ethical ones as well. The state argued that since we all believe we are God's children and are made in His Image, hurting another goes against what the Bible states. The State argued Mann's guilt by displaying the disrespect shown to one of God's creatures and thus he should pay the fine. In a religious and emotional aspect, Mann's guilt is clear to see. Another point used was the appearance of other trials similar to this and how we shouldn't have to be repeating these kinds of trials over again.

    In the eyes of the court, they saw favor in Mann's argument in both the legal and moral standing. Therefore this ended with the court ruling in his favor and reimbursed him for the fine.

    Personally, I think both sides presented very well thought out arguments. Both parties clearly studied their topics and thought out what they wanted to say. The trial was a great one to watch and felt very real to me.