Story at a glance
- Elizabeth Johnson Jr. was found to be a witch and sentenced to death during the Salem witch trials in 1693.
- Though she wasn’t executed, she was never exonerated either.
- A middle school civics class researched what it would take to get her pardoned today, prompting a state senator to propose legislation.
A Massachusetts woman who was condemned as a witch during the Salem witch trials may finally be pardoned 328 years later.
At the height of the trials in 1693, Elizabeth Johnson Jr., 22, was found to be a witch and sentenced to be hanged, but she wasn’t executed. However, she was never exonerated either, according to The Associated Press.
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State Sen. Diana DiZoglio (D) introduced the legislation to have her pardoned after being contacted by a middle school civics class that conducted research into Johnson Jr. and the steps necessary to pardon her.
“It is important that we work to correct history,” DiZoglio said. “We will never be able to change what happened to these victims, but at the very least, we can set the record straight.”
During the Salem witch trials, 14 women and five men were found guilty of witchcraft and executed.
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