Document analysis of Mary Price, alias Hartington, sexual offenses

This analysis is based on the proceedings of the Old Bailey trial of Mary Price alias Hartington and concerns an accusation made against her of sodomy with her dog. It is an original document from 1704 and so it is considered a primary source document. Mary was indicted for sodomy committed with a dog, an action brought against her by an upstairs neighbour on the statement and testimony of events she claims her daughter saw the defendant commit on 25th March 1704.The case was eventually dismissed and Mary Price was acquitted by the jury of the day, due to the lack of evidence that could be substantiated against her and after an investigation by a local constable at the scene of where the alleged crime took place. There also seemed to be attestation, from the testimony of other witnesses, that there had been previous private altercations between defendant and plaintiff and the jury apparently have come to the decision that the evidence given was not able to be substantiated as credible testimony. The crime of sodomy is a capital offence, also known as a felony offence and can at its most extreme be punishable by the death penalty, if found guilty. …