Today in Salem: Water puddles on the floor and flies circle a piece of stale bread, as a gregarious man enters the prison cell to talk with Giles Corey. The two men have been friends for years, and the judges have asked the man to persuade Giles to enter a plea before it’s too late.
The judges themselves have been in and out of the prison most of yesterday and last night to talk with Giles. His refusal to plead to the charge of witchcraft has stopped his trial, and he’s been sentenced to pressing with heavy stones until he pleads or dies. He can avoid it with just three words: “I plead innocent (or guilty).”
Even now, in private, Giles’ friend agrees. “Don’t be a fool,” he says. “Why are you doing this? Even if you hang, it’s an easier death.” But Giles just grunts and looks away.
“You gain nothing by dying under a heavy stone,” the friend says. “You will lose your life for nothing.”
“Not so,” Giles says. “It will protect my family.” He goes on to explain what he would never tell anyone but a good friend: that he’s written a new will and deeded his property to his sons-in-law. “If I’m convicted, then the Sheriff can take everything away from them. But I cannot be convicted if I don’t enter a plea to begin with.”
“Yes, but you’ve deeded the property to them,” his friend says. “They already own it. The Sheriff can’t take it away, regardless of what happens to you.”
Giles rears up and laughs until he chokes. “Have you met our Sheriff? That is a small distinction for a man like him. Do you truly believe he will abide by it?”
“Yes, but – ” Giles cuts him off. “I am 81 years old. Death will visit me soon enough. I have decided.”
Nine guilty, nine sentenced
By tonight the court has finished the week’s trials. Nine people tried, nine guilty verdicts, and nine sentenced to hang. The judges do, however, delay one execution: the minister’s daughter Ann Faulkner, who, like Elizabeth Proctor, is pregnant.
There are more prisoners behind them who are undoubtedly guilty, but only so many people can be tried and hanged at once. Court won’t be in session again until November 1, so the other trials will have to wait. In the meantime there are eight hangings and the stubborn Giles Corey’s pressing to deal with.
Tomorrow in Salem: ***Sensitive content: mentions death by suicide*** EXECUTED: Giles Corey