State v. Mann Mock trial

Before this I have never done a mock trial before. I didn't what to look nor what to but down as my statement as the religious point of view. Definitely was a learning experience. Sadly my group lost. Everyone's point of view of what happened is different, this is what John Mann told the judge Elizabeth Jones who owned a slave named Lydia, hired her out for a year to John Mann of Chowan County. Lydia was unhappy with the arrangement, and at one point Mann decided to punish her, possibly by whipping her. But Lydia escaped during the punishment, and began to run away. Mann shouted to her, ordering her to stop, but Lydia continued to run. Mann then shot and wounded her. Yes Lydia was very unhappy of being owned by John Mann but she didn't have of choice due to being a slave. No she was not a threat to John Mann or anyone else, she could of just accepted that she was now owned by him and maybe nothing would of happened. I do understand why she did it because I don't think anyone would of wanted to be in her shoes.

In an article I read it states "North Carolina Supreme Court decision, is probably the most notorious judicial opinion on the relationship between master and slave ever rendered by a state court." In North Carolina, for masters to allow others to hire the services of his or her slaves. Lydia probably got very comfortable with where she was and a change of scenery is something she really didn't want. The state of North Carolina however, has not chosen to revise the portion of its laws regarding capital punishment and crime. Currently, there are nearly 30 felonies punishable by hanging in the state of North Carolina. Including that of attempted murder and battery, one of which the defendant was already charged for. During the mock trial Jacqueline read this quote "the bloodiest code of laws of any state in the Union." This is why the prosecution stands firm that not only should the defendant be charged with assault and battery; but also attempted murder in the 2nd degree. The victim not only feared for her life, resulting in her need to run away from Mr. Mann but was then brutally struck down by a bullet.

A similar case that Jacqueline talk about The trial of Arthur William Hodge took place in 1811, it came as a result of the brutal killing of a slave by his owner. A woman of color and fellow slave gave testimony of the attack, this was enough for the courts to convict Hodge. The chief justice of the ruling stated, “God created white and he created black creatures; and as God makes no distinction in administering justice, and to Him each is alike, you will not, nor can you alter your verdict, if murder has been proved – whether on white persons or on black persons, the crime is equally the same with God and the law.” The decision from the Arthur William Hodge trial was responsible for creating a baseline regarding excessive slave violence cases. Furthermore providing reason that the defendant John Mann should be punished for his savage crimes committed against the victim Lydia.

John Mann was charged with a ten dollar bond and back then people didn't think he did anything wrong and that it was Lydia's fault. This case seemed very intense it would be quite interesting to see it in real life.

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