Spectral Evidence

By Crusader1307

A widely used Legal Concept during The Colonial American Salen Witchcraft Trials of 1692 – ‘’Spectral Evidence’’ was the use of ‘’supernatural visions’’ generated reputedly by Witnesses which – if interpreted correctly, were used as ‘’physical evidence’’ for a conviction of Witchery. Obviously, no modern Legal System would rely on the basis of a dream or vision to indict a Person – but a combination of religious fervor, superstition and outright fear, created the impromptu ‘’Law of Supernatural Evidence’’. Naturally. A Person so disposed to revenge could use such ‘’visions’’ (if even real), as a means to punish an Enemy. The use of Spectral Evidence would fade after the bulk of The Massachusetts Trials, but did linger in Virginia, Maryland and several other Colonies until it was outlawed from use in the early 18th Century.