Changes

After many executions, a change in the rule of evidence for these trials excluded "spectral evidence," which was testimony by afflicted persons that they had been visited by a suspect's specter.  With that change the subsequent trials resulted overwhelmingly in acquittals rather than convictions, and the later pardons were issued for several of those who had been convicted.<ref>http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM</ref>

After many executions, a change in the rule of evidence for these trials excluded "spectral evidence," which was testimony by afflicted persons that they had been visited by a suspect's specter.  With that change the subsequent trials resulted overwhelmingly in acquittals rather than convictions, and the later pardons were issued for several of those who had been convicted.<ref>http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM</ref>

A common misconception about the executions is that people were burned at the stake.  The misconception arises out of the fact that during the 300 year time period of witch hunting that took place in Europe, where people were in fact burned alive, that the practice must have also been happening in the colonies.<ref>[https://www.pastfactory.com/history/untrue-myths-about-colonial-america/10/ Untrue:Witches Were Burned At The Stake During The Salem Witch Trials]</ref>

A common misconception about the executions is that people were burned at the stake.  The misconception arises out of the fact that during the 300 year time period of [[European Witch Trials]], where people were in fact burned alive, that the practice must have also been happening in the colonies.<ref>[https://www.pastfactory.com/history/untrue-myths-about-colonial-america/10/ Untrue:Witches Were Burned At The Stake During The Salem Witch Trials]</ref>

==Victims==

==Victims==