State Vs. Mann

The state vs. Mann Trial was brought to the attention of the American public because it highlights the problems with slavery. The trial entailed a female slave named Lydia who was almost killed by John Mann. Lydia had made an attempt to run away from Mann and in the process was shot in the back by him. John Mann did not believe what he did was wrong so he protested his punishment of a $10 fine. The state of North Carolina testified that Mann didnt in fact own the slave so he did not have the right to shoot her. Although there is a law known as the property law which states that a slave is an owners property in all aspects, Lydia was not Manns Property as she was being borrowed by him. After the whole country was in controversy over the topic Mann was declared innocent.