If a prosecuting lawyer isn't following these rules, the defendants lawyer can't enter an objection. However, the defendants at Salem did not have the luxury of a lawyer. The accused were also denied representation at the trials. Mary Easty petitioned the judges, ask them to "please be of counsel to us". The judges ignored this request, and Mary defended herself. Mary was hung to death September 22nd. .
Spectral evidence as admissible in a court of law, is a concept that boggles the mind. It's just insane, and almost unbelievable that it was allowed in the Salem trials. Compare a modern trials with the practices used in the Salem Witch trials. Imagine the prosecution saying O.J. Simpson's specter killed his ex-wife. It's almost laughable. Anybody can claim somebody's invisible specter committed a crime, and if the accusation is believed, it cannot be defended. In any modern trial, the prosecution has the burden of proof. They have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a crime was committed. Now nothing had to be proved, because it turned into the afflicted girls word, against everyone else. Often spectral evidence, was the only evidence against an accused witch. This was the case in the trial of Rebecca Nurse. She was found innocent of the charges, which could've proved to be a turning point in the trials. Perhaps a sign that spectral evidence would not be enough to convict a person. However the judges were unsatisfied, one even threatened a retrial. The jury deliberated further, and Rebecca Nurse was found guilty. The precedence that spectral evidence was enough to convict the accused, was now solidified. Rebecca was found guilty, and was hung July 19th. .
There are several ways to find oneself in contempt of court, and kicked out of the hearings. One way is to make an outburst. Modern courts are a place of order, to ensure fairness. At Salem, outbursts were allowed, and played a major role in the proceedings.
