September 19

As a nation, we take many of our rights under the Constitution for granted. Of particular importance is the 5th amendment[i], which gives us the right to not testify if that testimony will incriminate us. I am certain that Giles Corey, a resident of the Massachusetts Bay Colony feels that he was born a century too early. He had been arrested on charges of witchcraft, imprisoned and asked to testify in the case, which he adamantly refused to do. On the 19th in 1692, he was led to a pit in an open field beside the jail and before the Court and witnesses, in accordance with English common law; he was subjected to the procedure of “Peine forte et dure". His jailers stripped him of his clothing, laid him on the ground in a pit, placed boards on his chest, after which six men lifted some very heavy stones and placed them one by one, on Corey’s stomach and chest until he died.

[i] No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.