Mann v State Mock Trial Argument

 In this Mock Trial, I played the role of a lawyer defending John Mann. My approach to defending John Mann, in order to get his money back from the State of North Carolina, was that of the norms and customs of the South at the time. John Mann had shot a slave that was trying to escape in the back. The slave lived, and decided to take John Mann to trial for his actions. Mann was fined $10 by the State of North Carolina. Mann is now back in the courtroom to get his money back from the State, as his fine was unjust and he wants it back. 

Below is my speech on the customs and norms of the South, defending John Mann.

Thomas Ruffin

"Hello everyone, I am here today to speak on why John Mann should. be given his money back and that the fine was unjust. i will be using the norms and tradition of the South to prove so. Slaves are not considered human. What slaves are, is property. By acknowledging that they are property, it is up to the owner on how they are treated and what happens to them. Would you get mad at a farmer that shot his own cattle? There is no difference in this case. Slaves can never forget their status as property, no matter how their owners treat them. By running away, this slave defied her master. Almost every slaveowner would have shot their slave if it decided to run away. If that's the case, then why are those other slaveowners, who have done this deed, not in here with us today?

Since slaves are property, their masters are able to punish them however they want. Punishment could range from physical violence, to being sold away from their family. Some slave discipline included: whippings, torture, mutilation, and imprisonment.If slaveowners are able to sexually stalk, harass, rape, and use their slaves as long-term concubines, why are they not also able to kill them. Once again, slaves are not people, they are only mere property.

In the South, killing slaves is normal and occurs frequently. During times of insurrection - either real OR rumored - enraged whites would form vigilance committees that would terrorize, torture, and kill slaves. What is the difference in John Mann's case in front of us not, if it is not as bad as these deeds.

It is a known fact that enslaved people are not citizens in the United States. In that case, they do not receive any protection from the government or the courts, if they are not citizens. So, why are we standing here today?

It is tradition in the South to have slave codes. Slave codes, by definition, are any of the set of rules based on the concept that enslaved persons were property, not people. In the slave code in 1741, It is stated that if freedom-seeking enslaved people refused to surrender immediately, they could be killed and there will be no legal consequences. Let me repeat that for you. If freedom seeking enslaved people refused to surrender immediately, they COULD BE KILLED and there will be NO LEGAL CONSEQUENCES. Did this slave not run away and seek freedom from her punishment? Did she not refuse to surrender? John Mann had every right to shoot this slave. It is normal for these things to happen, but the only problem that needs to be fixed is John Mann's aim."

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