LAD 2- Zenger Trial
Zenger Trail LAD
1. John Peter Zenger was a printer and editor of the New York Weekly Journal. He came to the colonies from Germany in 1710 and was an apprentice under William Bradford, who was the printer of the New York Gazette. He was later hired by a group of wealthy men, who greatly opposed the actions of Colonial Governor William Crosby, and began his work on the New York Weekly Journal publishing controversial articles fighting the injustices of the current British colonial system and government.
2. The controversy over his charges was that first he was accused of seditious libel for publishing numerous articles which were critical of Colonial Governor William Crosby. Then to add to this controversy the bond to get him out of jail was set so incredibly high that neither Zenger nor his friends could pay it. The trial was then also delayed for nine months. Hamilton’s defense for the trial was simple and effective, if the information is true than it cannot be considered libel. Against the will of the judge the jury gave a verdict of not guilty due to that very defense.
3. The results of this trial served a great deal of good to American governmental tradition. It carefully showed the power and duty of the jury to fight unjust laws. This is done by simply handing down a not guilty verdict in a case where the law is in question. This was a big deal in this particular case because of the fact that the judge requested and even demanded the jury members to give Zenger a verdict of guilty.
4. The lasting significance of this trial is obvious as it clearly defends the right of people to free press. This freedom is clearly noted and protected in the US constitution today as part of the First Amendment, or part of the Bill of Rights. This trial also served to protect the rights jury and therefore but a check on the power of the court judge.
1. John Peter Zenger was a printer and editor of the New York Weekly Journal. He came to the colonies from Germany in 1710 and was an apprentice under William Bradford, who was the printer of the New York Gazette. He was later hired by a group of wealthy men, who greatly opposed the actions of Colonial Governor William Crosby, and began his work on the New York Weekly Journal publishing controversial articles fighting the injustices of the current British colonial system and government.
2. The controversy over his charges was that first he was accused of seditious libel for publishing numerous articles which were critical of Colonial Governor William Crosby. Then to add to this controversy the bond to get him out of jail was set so incredibly high that neither Zenger nor his friends could pay it. The trial was then also delayed for nine months. Hamilton’s defense for the trial was simple and effective, if the information is true than it cannot be considered libel. Against the will of the judge the jury gave a verdict of not guilty due to that very defense.
3. The results of this trial served a great deal of good to American governmental tradition. It carefully showed the power and duty of the jury to fight unjust laws. This is done by simply handing down a not guilty verdict in a case where the law is in question. This was a big deal in this particular case because of the fact that the judge requested and even demanded the jury members to give Zenger a verdict of guilty.
4. The lasting significance of this trial is obvious as it clearly defends the right of people to free press. This freedom is clearly noted and protected in the US constitution today as part of the First Amendment, or part of the Bill of Rights. This trial also served to protect the rights jury and therefore but a check on the power of the court judge.
posted by Francis at 6:49 AM
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