Mock Trial

State vs. Mann

On February 21,2018, our class experienced our first mock trial, State vs. Mann. The case involves the state which is North Carolina and Mr.Mann. The case involves a slave named Lydia and Mr.Mann who is currently renting Lydia from Ms. Elizabeth . During her time with Mr.Mann , Lydia attempted to run away. She was then shot in the back.

Mr. Mann was charged $10 and was also charged with assault.

The State argued that there were at least five laws that were broken. Legal precedence,common law, Statutory law and other state laws. They also mentioned the slave code and that it was in violation due to Mr.Mann not being the true slave owner.

Mr. Mann's lawyers argued that even though he did not technically own Lydia, he had a contract with Ms. Elizabeth and was the current holder of Lydia and that he could punish her. Another argument was that slaves are not citizens and they shall not have privileges, they then argued that slavery was an economy booster and if we shall side with State it would threaten the economy.

The closing argument is that ether way the case goes we shall put aside emotions and go by the legal stand.

Mann was given the $10 back and the charges were dropped in the end.