The Mcmartin Daycare Case Of The 1980s

Throughout time, fear has been the number one thing that keeps people alive. Because people are scared, they run from predators in order to survive. The process of natural selection has ensured that those who are scared will live. The people who realize this can take advantage of it. Two prime examples are Abigail Williams and Judy Johnson. The McMartin Daycare Case of the 1980s shares similar themes with the Salem Witch Trials, as seen in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.
Without a doubt, there is plenty of hysteria leading to impulsive decision making featured in the McMartin Daycare Case. To recap, in 1983 a woman named Judy Johnson accused Ray Buckley of molesting her two-year-old son. Letters were sent out to parents and word spread quickly

After accusing Ray Buckely, she pursued more allegations against the school using weak evidence. According to information about the trial compiled by law Professor Douglas O. Linder, “[Judy Johnson] claimed that Peggy Buckey, Ray’s mother, was involved in satanic practices … most prosecutors would come to recognize Johnson's allegations as the delusions of a paranoid schizophrenic, but the snowball of suspicion had started rolling.'' (Linder). Professor Linder demonstrates that Judy is responsible for the controversy at McMartin Preschool. He illustrates how Judy’s lies led to an unnecessary investigation and wrongful imprisonment. By starting several rumors about rape and satanic practices in the preschool, Johnson was able to manipulate the court into believing her because they were scared. This connects back to the theme of hysteria leading to impulsive decision making, as found in The Crucible and The McMartin Daycare

In John Miller’s play, the extremely Christian town’s fear of the devil pushes innocent people to be needlessly killed when they are accused of witchcraft. In act II Reverend Hale warns Proctor and Elizabeth, “‘We dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!’” (Miller 201). The theme of hysteria leading to impulsive decision making is present in The Crucible. In this passage, Hale is saying that he cannot let fear guide his accusations. He knows that fear will inevitably lead to poor decisions. When the court fails to listen, those who are innocent face horrendous punishments. This is comparable to the McMartin Case. According to an article by the History Channel “The McMartin prosecutions represented the height of the hysteria over sexual abuse of children in America. Despite a complete lack of reputable evidence … [procecuters] proceeded against Ray Buckey for more than six years" (“Teachers”). This article reinforces the theme of hysteria leading to impulsive decision making. Although there wasn’t evidence, the lawsuit proceeded for six years because the people were scared. That fear of abuse and satanic practices pushed this case forward more than it should have. The unorthodox decisions from the courts in both instances were clearly driven by fear. Unquestionably, both the McMartin Preschool Case and The Crucible share the theme of mass