conviction. The altered order stated you needed two witnesses, however, they could be twenty years apart. In addition, they allowed spectral evidence because Satan could not assume the shape of an innocent person. All together, there were five separate tests allowed by the court. First were trials by test, which included repeating the Lord’s Prayer (it was believed witches wouldn’t be able to do this). Second, people who connected their ill fortunes to the sorcery of the accused person were allowed to testify. Third, physical evidence such as moles, warts, scars, or any other visible imperfections where the devil was thought to have sucked some blood from, leaving his mark. Fourth, was the spectral evidence mentioned earlier. Finally, the accused confessions—regardless of the torture involved—were also used as evidence admitted to court (Starkey, 1949).When the witch trials convened in June, 1692 they were conducted contrary to the belief of many, the trials were conducted along the same lines as the examinations. According to the Court of Oyer and Terminer, the prior examinations were the trials. The only thing they had to do was review new evidence that came about since the examinations. For example, take Bridge Bishop’s case. Bridget was an ostentatious dresser and had a ‘smooth and flattering way’ with men. Furthermore, she owned two taverns which further implicated her as a witch. On the way to the court from the jail, Bridget gave the meeting house the evil eye. After an investigation, people confirmed she had transported a board strongly fastened with several nails to another part of the house. It was assumed Bridget had sent her devil to show what she was capable of (Hoffer, 1996). Opinions shifted toward the end of the summer of 1692 for a couple of reasons. First, there were protests against the Court of Oyer and Terminer and how they handled the cases. Second, the court’s proce...
