Rev . Cotton Mather argued that it was appropriate to admit spectral evidence into legal proceedings, but cautioned that convictions should not be based on spectral evidence alone as it was possible for the Devil to take the shape of an innocent person.
32.
Rev . Cotton Mather argued that it was appropriate to admit spectral evidence into legal proceedings, but cautioned that convictions should not be based on spectral evidence alone as it was possible for the Devil to take the shape of an innocent person.
33.
Rev . Increase Mather became an opponent of spectral evidence, though not until after the Salem hangings had taken place, and not on the basis that it was false testimony by witnesses, but that it might be a deception by demons.
34.
During a solar eciipse in 1914, Bosler observed in the corona a spectral band nouvelle, intense et unique which he suggested was spectral evidence for coronium; however, in the 1930s subsequent research showed that the cause was a highly ionized form of iron.
35.
Spectral evidence played a key role in the Salem Witch Trials . " The Witches of Early America " defines spectral evidence as, " the supernatural phenomena thought to occur when a vision or'spectre'of an accused witch appeared to a witness ".
36.
Spectral evidence played a key role in the Salem Witch Trials . " The Witches of Early America " defines spectral evidence as, " the supernatural phenomena thought to occur when a vision or'spectre'of an accused witch appeared to a witness ".
37.
The petition questioned the validity of spectral evidence, testified to the Christian lives that John and Elizabeth had led, said that they were ever ready to help such as stood in need of their help, and that the petitioners had no reason to believe the couple were witches.
38.
October 12 : Governor Phips writes to the Privy Council of Queen Mary saying that he has stopped the proceedings and referring to " what danger some of their innocent subjects might be exposed to, if the evidence of the afflicted persons only did prevail, " i . e ., " spectral evidence ".
39.
"' Most of those persons condemned for witchcraft within the jurisdiction of the Baron Courts of Prestoungrange and Dolphinstoun were convicted on the basis of spectral evidence _ that is to say, prosecuting witnesses declared that they felt the presence of evil sprits or heard spirit voices,'" the court said in its written findings.
40.
Cotton Mather, in his 1693 book " The Wonders of the Invisible World, " concerning the Salem Witch Trials, specifically draws attention to the Suffolk trial, and the Salem judge stated that although spectral evidence should be allowed in order to begin investigations, it should not be admitted as evidence to decide a case.
