State v. Mann

In class, we held a mock trial debating the facts of the famous Supreme Court case State v. Mann. A team of students argued on behalf of either the state of North Carolina or John Mann. They discussed the trial through arguments based on religion, economics, history, ethics, norms, customs, traditions, law, and emotional appeal.

In the state of North Carolina during 1829, a slave named Lydia was hired out to John Mann of Chowan County. When Lydia attempted to rebel, she was whipped by Mann and ultimately shot in the back. While she was not killed, she was severely wounded resulting in a $10 fine (approximately $280 today) issued by the state for assault and battery. Mann believed the fine was unjust as slaves have no rights of their own, and therefore appealed the fine. Ultimately, Mann won his case and the $10 were returned to him. This set the precedent that slaveowners have absolute authority over their slaves and could therefore inflict pain on them.

Constantly throughout history, we see criminal law come second to property law. Historically, property laws were used as a tactic to further the protection of slavery. However, in the modern-day, these laws are necessary to protect our freedom. John Locke states that “life, liberty, and property” are our natural rights that should never be infringed upon.