Pardon For 17th Century Witch?

An author launched a campaign to clear the name of the 'witch' who was executed in 1645 for 'killing baby with sorcery.'

11:05 30 October 2015

Anne West, who was sentenced to die for “killing baby with sorcery” may be given a public pardon 370 years after her death.

 

She is among the hundreds of people who were executed during the notorious Essex Witch Trials. A mother accused Anne of giving her “dirty 

 

looks”, which she claimed led to the unborn child’s death. Her teenage daughter, Rebecca, testified against her mother in exchange of her freedom.

 

Young adult writer fantasy writer Sara Pascoe has started an online petition on a government website to give Anne a public pardon. The campaign, which requires at least 10,000 signatures to get a response from the Government, is supported by Essex MP Sir David Amees.

 

She said: “Horrifically, the same factors are at work today - ignorance, strife and vested interests - that lead to the torture and execution of thousands for witchcraft every year, including in India, Gambia and by ISIS .

 

“As in the past, many innocent people continue to lose their lives through superstition and the case of Anne West is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

“It was a long time ago, but granting Anne West a pardon makes a stand that the UK does not condone such heinous crimes, and can be part of the larger human rights effort against the continued killing of thousands each year for ‘being a witch’.”