State v Mann

In class today a moot court was called in order to discuss the case of State v Mann. The case involves a slave, Lydia and her master John Mann. Mann chose to punish Lydia for attempting to run away by shooting her in the back, as a result this case was brought to North Carolina Supreme Court. The issue of whether Mann should be forced to pay his fine or if he should be relieved of his punishment is being called to question.

In favor of Lydia the argument is made that overall slavery is immoral and for this reason the acts taken upon her are wrong. The defendant also argues that the bible states that slavery is wrong, therefore Lydia's master should not condone nor perpetuate slavery. These two points worked to not only declare the acts taken upon Lydia wrong, but slavery as a whole. Along with this argument the defendant also stated that Lydia did not belong to Mann, as he was renting her out. He therefore did not have the right to shoot and damage her.

   Although these arguments held some ground in the moot court, the overall verdict was in favor of the prosecution. One of the most important arguments that was made was that Lydia was a piece of property. Due to the common law at the time it was crucial that the court rule in favor of Mann as there was a precedent to maintain. If the court had altered the common law in favor of Lydia it would have set a negative precedent that when emotions of the court are involved the law can be remolded. The prosecution also reminded the court that Lydia was in fact fully Mann's property at the time of her shooting. Although she was being rented out she was Mann's responsibility, therefore if Lydia had not chosen to run away she would not have been shot. In court it is very important to understand where fault lies, especially when delivering a verdict. As Lydia had chosen to run away from her punishment it was her fault that Mann had to shoot her in order to prevent him from loosing her.

The United State's Judicial system has a duty to uphold the law. Mann was in turn declared free of the fines regarding Lydia.
Check this out for some background on the case!