Mock Trial

State V.S. Mann.....

DEFENDANT:

Should be fined or not??

Involves a slave owner, Mr. Mann, got fined 10 $

Had a slave named Lydia, he shot her in the back

It was assault, cruel, wasn’t his slave (owned her for less than a year)(rented her)

Cruel to beat her f

or running over, because of her punishment

They are now using the bible in the argument, the bible says it is not right to treat someone like this. He is going against the word of God.

DEFENSE:

He can not be punished for what he did to her, he was authorized, she was his property and shot her on his own property, was illegal for her to run away

Slaves to be counted a ⅗ of a white person, under the law she can be punished for running away, slaves were made property

She could of had a much more severe punishment, if he didn't punish her other slaves would think it is ok. Her punishment could have been much worse, didn’t kill her

He was her master, was slaves faith to be a slave and she was obeying God.

SUMMARY:

Crime of assault should apply to him like everyone else. He did not even own the slave. She is still a child of God even though it might not seem like it. Mr. Mann was fully and 100% in control of her property. Mann was helping her by shooting her in the back. If she succeed in escaping it would put her in more danger, she could of starved and got hurt. She was in good hands with Mr. Mann. Therefore he should not be fined.