State vs. Mann

<3 15, February 2017 <3

Today, we participated in a mock trial of the case State vs. Mann. A case in which a slave owner John Mann was renting a slave from a woman named Elizabeth. The slave rented Lydia, worked for John Mann for a year before she got in trouble and he beat her harshly. In this mock trial I was in favor of the State. We argued form many different aspects such as:

1. The laws of general applicablitlty are blind to class. The crime of assault and battery should apply to him just as it would apply to anyone else.

2. The property damage argument, he was not the property owner, he was the renter of Lydia and did not have complete control over the property. He had a duty to care and he willfully and knowingly damaged her.

3. Religious argument, the rules of God lies above the laws of man,

4. Case Precedent argument. In the past case State v. Hale, they punished a slave owner who wrongfully hurt a slave.

Group two was the defense and they argued in favor of Mann. A few of their arguments stated:

1. Although he was a renter of the property, in the eyes of contract law, all of the rights and privileges of the owner was transferred down to him.

2. The clean hands argument that stated that Lydia was wrong for trying to run away.

3. The constitutional argument, the supreme law of the land does not disallow slavery. The constitution gave its approval of slavery.

4. Ethical grounds stated that Mann saved Lydia by shooting her. Because she would've been caught by the bounty hunters, starved to death, or would've even been killed before she got to freedom

These arguments were all valid from each point of view. Back in 1830 case, State won and Mann was fined $10. In class, unfortunately the defenses arguments seemed to be stronger than ours and they won the case.

I enjoyed doing this mock trial. It taught me more about the law than I've ever known. It also taught me how to effectively argue a case with evidence and not opinions and feelings. I'm looking forward to the next mock trial I can partake in!