Spectral Evidence was the primary evidence used to accuse and convict many innocent people during the Salem Witch Trials.
It is evidence that is based on dreams and visions and not based on hard facts.
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How Was It Used?
Using the Salem Witch Trials as an example, the accusers would often go into fits of hysteria and claim they were being bewitched by those they were accusing. They would claim to have visions of the accused doing something demonic or even claim to be supernaturally abused, choked, pinched, etc.
The accusers would often go into these fits when the accused entered the room, which would give the impression that the accused had some sort of power over them and they were unable to get free of the torture.
The allowance of spectral evidence in the Salem Witch Trials was permitted by the Magistrate William Stoughton. This allowance would begin the hysteria that would lead to 19 executions of supposed witches.
Why was it Tragic?
The Salem Witch Trials were a clear case of people targeting others they did not like due to wanting their land or just having a personal feud with them. Each of the afflicted had some sort of personal issue with those they accused.
In some cases, the use of this spectral evidence was able to convict those who lived in other cities and hadn't been in Salem for many years. This played out in the case of George Burroughs, who had not lived in Salem but rather in Maine for many years prior to the trials. However, due to having personal issues with the Putnam family was accused of being a witch afflicting the young woman.
John Proctor was another of the accused who pushed back on the use of Spectral Evidence but to no avail. He was too wealthy, and after his death, his land was stripped from his family and divided up among his rivals.
Using this type of evidence allows for easy manipulation and changing of the stories. If someone is afflicted by a demon, then it is quite possible to change stories, and it is okay.
Was it Used Before the Salem Witch Trials?
Spectral Evidence has been used throughout the history of humanity. Every culture with any sort of superstitious religion has used it in a court of law to convict or even as a means to fight a war.
It still exists today.
What made the Salem Witch Trials so devastating was that the Puritans were Christians, and the Bible was clear on how to conduct a trial. It talks about the use of eyewitnesses and how to cross-examine them.
The book of Proverbs even speaks about the importance of hearing both arguments and coming to a rational decision.
Why the Puritans went into superstition as much as they did was the real tragedy since, in many other areas, they were grounded on logic and the scientific method.
When did it End?
Governor William Phips of Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered that the use of Spectral Evidence not be allowed, and he dissolved the Salem court on October 29, 1692.
After the court was dissolved and spectral evidence was no longer allowed, the witch trials all but ended in the colonies.