Professor Smith- I did my Key Post on what I learned in the trial based on the notes. I participated in the EOTO and got permission from you to do my EOTO post as a regular post!
Thank you so much, Gianna
In class, we were able to critically explore a Mock trial on the case of State (Lydia vs John Mann). This case was about when John Mann hired a slave, Lydia, from her owner. She then tried to escape from punishment, so Mann proceeded to shoot and wound her. Our class did a fake trial on this situation. This is where the facts of the case were presented, outside sources were brought in and came to a ruling at the end of the case.
https://www.ncpedia.org/state-v-john-mann
Here are some of the arguments made on the side of Lydia. Lydia was shot by her slave owner, where a 10 dollar fine was given. Not only is that unjust but it completely disregards Lydia as a human being. This ruling is ethically wrong for Lydia and her family. Lydia is a person with human rights, and this case should look at her as a person.
In a similar case in 1823 State versus Hale. Hale was a slave who was murdered and the court said that there it is an indictable offense. This helps prove that this case should have the same understanding as Stale vs Hale. They argued that this case is a simple case of criminal law and should be seen as criminal battery.
Mann’s actions showed neglect because he did not care for her. Even though she is a slave, she is a human being and should be charged as a human, no matter race and if she is a slave. Hence this case is abuse, unethical, and the court should rule Mann as guilty.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/
On the other side, John Mann’s team argued that the 10 dollars was an unjust punishment and that he did nothing wrong. Here are some of the arguments made by his team. Slaves are not citizens of the US, they are property. Mann is entitled to do what he wants to his property and the court can not deny that to him.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration
They argued that slave owners need to discipline their slaves in order for things to move properly. He did not commit battery because one can not be responsible for battery against property. For example, if someone commits battery against their chair in their living room this is no crime. They said Lydia was in the wrong because she was trying to escape punishment that Mann was entitled to do.
https://www.lexisnexis.com/community/casebrief/p/casebrief-state-v-mann
Slavery is normal in the south and masters have absolute ownership over them. They brought religion into the case explaining that Jesus never talked wrong about slavery and in the Bible, these events are completely normal, also that this has always been part of civilization. All in all, Lydia was in the wrong for running away from punishment, Mann owned her and can do whatever he wants to her making the charges unjust against him.
https://law.jrank.org/pages/2446/State-v-Mann-1829.html
After the trial; we the viewers of the case were able to talk as a whole about the points brought up on both sides. In the present day, Mann would be one hundred percent in the wrong. However, looking at the case in 1829 in the South the ruling would have fallen under Manns side. The Judge of the case in the Mock trial sided with Mann. The key point that helped in this ruling was that Mann could not commit a crime on his property.
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/causes-of-the-civil-war-5ed41c93-660b-4876-95cf-aeecc5be0ff9
I really enjoyed this Mock trial and learning in a more interactive way. It was amazing to see my peers do research and deliberate on this tough topic. I cannot wait for the next mock trial we have in class and being able to take part in the actual debate.
Picture from Mock Trial in Class:
As you can see from the picture below we set up class like a court. Different students were able to go up and present to the class, and the judge the facts.
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