Rebecca Nursing Case Essay

Good day Sir, our names are Logan Bosak and Kiera Markham, and we are pleased to represent Rebecca Nurse on this vitally important case. Your Excellency, the defendant stands hither accused falsely of witchcraft, a severe crime that should be dealt with the utmost care and understanding. You see Sir, Rebecca is a pious woman of high standing within the community, and as such, many citizens are surprised that Rebecca would be suspected of dealing with the devil. In fact, over thirty of the most prominent members of the community signed a petition attesting to Rebecca’s innocence and still others wrote individual petitions as well (Linder). Your Excellency must recall that Rebecca has not once strayed from her claim even as she was barraged with

Fellow neighbors and townspeople were in disbelief that she was even considered to be a witch and with good reason. Rebecca Nurse is seventy-one years of age. She is eight times a mother and a grandmother. Rebecca is also the wife of Francis Nurse, an esteemed artisan and respected member of society. Rebecca is known to have lived a life of piety in the name of God. When Rebecca was accused, the validity of the accusation was put into question considering her outstanding reputation (Rebecca Nurse). The community of Salem views Rebecca as a saint, which is why her accusation came as a surprise to almost all. The fact of the matter is that Rebecca Nurse is one of the last people that should ever be accused of witchcraft. Her outstanding social status and pious lifestyle should be enough to prove that she is not, nor has ever been a witch or dabbled in witchcraft. This belief was even reflected in the original

It was said that the afflicted girls went into a series of fits and had called out against Goody Nurse upon hearing the verdict. Your Excellency, you asked the jury to reconsider their decision as a result of those fits. Supposedly Rebecca made an incriminating statement when referring to a fellow prisoner as “one of us” during the trial (Linder). Those in the jury then deduced that Goody Nurse was referring to Goody Hobbs as a fellow witch when in reality Rebecca just meant they were both prisoners. Your Excellency, we are aware of the fact that when you questioned Rebecca about this matter she did not respond. However, Rebecca is hard of hearing, and with her deafness, it is reasonable that she could not fully hear or understand your question (Brooks). Despite this reasoning, Your Excellency, you took her silence as confirmation of her apparent witchery and the jury switched their verdict as a result. We deem that the jurors have clouded minds and as such unclear judgment as a result of the afflicted girls startling responses. Furthermore, Rebecca’s words were misinterpreted and she should receive the original decree of “not