Witch Hunt Abuses of Justice
Nov 7, 2019
In this enlightening discussion, Faye Skelton, a cognitive psychologist and expert on miscarriages of justice, dives into the chilling details of Scotland's witch hunts in 1597. She explores the psychological tactics used to extract false confessions, revealing how fear and paranoia of the unknown fueled these injustices. Skelton draws compelling parallels between historical witch hunts and modern interrogation methods, emphasizing the fragility of justice and the human psyche's susceptibility to coercion during moments of national crisis.
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The Great Witch of Balwiri
- Margaret Aitken, the "Great Witch of Balwiri," claimed she could identify witches by a mark in their eye.
- She toured Scotland, identifying "witches," until her methods were debunked in Glasgow.
False Confessions and Incentives
- Confessing, even falsely, can provide short-term relief during interrogation.
- This behavior is driven by a desire to stop torture or gain favor.
Henry Lee Lucas's Confessions
- Serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to hundreds of murders, many unverified.
- He received better treatment from police the more he confessed.