State Vs. Mann

The State vs. Mann trial was about female slave named Lydia who almost died at the hands of John Mann. Lydia tried to resist John Mann and in response, he shot her in the back while she was running away. He was charged and fined just $10. John Mann protested this fine because he believed that fining him violates his rights as a slave owner. North Carolina thought it was appropriate, but since there was such dispute over it a case soon followed.

The state argued that Mann didn't even own her. He was borrowing her... so she was not his property to touch or hurt. Josiah Small was the actual slave owner. Slave owners, which Mann was not, are able to abuse but not kill the slaves. There was intent to kill even though he didn't kill her. In Virginia two men were hung for this same act of killing borrowed slaves. He tampered with somebody else's property, so in turn... he should be punished.

Mann's side thought differently (obviously). This side argued that it was her fault for even running away. Slaves are bound to who they are serving and cannot argue or resent them. This was backed up with the property law... knowing that slaves are considered property. Since she was the one resenting, the man in power had to do what he had to do and he shouldn't be punished for that. A code was also brought up during this sides argument. That is slave code 1741, stating that if a slave runs away, they could be killed.

The court ended up declaring Mann innocent, not a shocker.