Mock Trial Reaction

     John Mann is a "slave owner" because he rented a slave named Lydia. She is tasked with doing work for him for a certain amount of time. During that time Lydia ran away from punishment, and then John Mann proceeded to shoot her in the back with a pistol. She did not die but he was charged with attempted murder and assault and battery and was fined for 5 dollars. Mann says the fine was unjust and that the 5 dollars should be refunded to him.

    The offenders claimed that even though slavery existed from the dawn of time, not all slavery is the same. They claim that we are all the same and that we are all human, slavery or not. They are not asking to be put to death, but to be punished for harming another human, not a slave, not a savage, but a human. They claim that instead of being branded with a hot iron, or getting your ears cut off all they ask is for 5 dollars. A woman should not be subjected to the same pains a man should. These slaves bleed red just like the slave masters, and the lord states to treat others how you would like to be treated. Slaves are expensive, so much so that Mr. Mann doesn't even own one, and yet all they ask for is 5 dollars. They believe the clause that all men be treated equal extends to slaves as well. Slaves should not be harmed by anyone but their master, and Mann simply rented that slave and did not own her.

    The defense claims that slavery is a reflection of economy and human life, so why should be punished for upholding this economy. Slavery isn't just a system but the cornerstone of the south, he shouldn't be punished for defending the cornerstone. Slaves are seen as property, and they are an investment. It is the owners duty to control and maintain their slaves, and the slaves duty to submit themselves completely to the master. The masters authority has to be absolute and his actions were in line with societal norms and his contemporary rule was absolute. As Christians the bible itself, deem Mann's actions as holy and justified. It is not incorrect for him to whip her and shoot her when she did not submit herself to her master. Even though she was rented, she still belonged to him for the time being. In Ephesians 6 slaves must obey their master with respect and fear just as they would obey Christ. Lydia did not follow the lord, so Mann was carrying out his religious duty of disciplining his slave.

    The judge restated facts and his opinions on the case. If agriculture is so important to the south, why are they comfortable with using other humans to do the work rather than making machines or use livestock to do the tilling for them. This doesn't take away the fact that slavery is the reason the south is thriving and it doesn't just benefit the slave owner but all of society. How can we as Christians condemn Mann when our religion has accepted religion so far back as Abraham and even the angels encouraged slavery. An argument against slavery is an argument of Christianity. For all intensive purposed slavery is civilization and punishing slaves is apart of the civilization system which is enforced by law. History does not care about your emotions, and law does not care about your emotions. It all comes down to contractual law, in the contractual renting he has assumed the position of a slave owner and all the rights that come with it. The verdict was in favor of Mr. Mann court adjourned.