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Before Pennsylvania was a state, it’s founder faced losing it all in a courtroom battle. Charged of conducting an unlawful assembly, the facts of the case are layed before the jury. Examine the evidence as CBS reporters take you there to witness it for yourself.
The jury is on the side of william Penn, and has returned a favorable result three times now. The judge contends with the jury to try to convince them to decide against Penn, and deliver the verdict the judge asks for. wow, why even have a jury if the judge won’t accept their verdict? No wonder there was a mass emmigration to the new land, and a Revolutionary war.
According to CBS reporters, intimidating a jury even goes against the Magna Carta, the ruling document of government of the day. As events unfold, the list of misbehavior by the courts seem endless. The commonfolk mock the court system, even to the point of obstructing the attempt at CBS reporters asking objective questions. Despite all that, there is blatant prejudice against the quakers. The unlawful, tumultuous gathering relates to the meeting of quakers for one of their expressive church meetings. Something that went against the traditions of the established church of the state.
The jury returns with their fourth verdict. If it’s the same it will be final. In drawn out dramatic fashion, with play by play description, CBS reporters describe the tense courtroom scene, and the outcome.
