William Spiggot Suffers Peine Forte Et #1

by Science Source

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William Spiggot Suffers Peine Forte Et #1

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Science Source

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Photograph - Photograph

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William Spiggot was an 18th century English highwayman. During his trial, he at first refused to plead and was sentenced to be pressed. Peine forte et dure was a method of torture, in which a defendant who refused to plead would be subjected to having heavier and heavier stones placed upon his or her chest until a plea was entered, or the defendant died. Many defendants charged with capital offenses would refuse to plead in order to avoid forfeiture of property. If the defendant pleaded either guilty or not guilty and was executed, their heirs would inherit nothing. If they refused to plead their heirs would inherit their estate, even if they died in the process.

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September 7th, 2020

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