LAD#2 Trial of John Peter Zenger

Trial of John Peter Zenger (1735)

1. Who was John Peter Zenger? John Peter Zenger was a German who came to America in 1710. William Bradford, printer of New York Gazette to him in an apprenticeship. He became the printer and editor of New York Weekly in 1733 where he, expressed his opinion against newly formed policies established by Governor William Cosby. Who then was arrested due to Cosby for accounts of seditious libel.       2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense. There was a lot of controversy with Zenger’s chargers and not what in fact he did or didn’t do. The prosecution claimed that Zenger’s newspapers didn’t include the truth from evidence. While Hamilton stated that the papers were libel unless they were stating false evidence. Hamilton admitted that Zenger did in fact publish the offensive stories about Governor Cosby, but unless the stories were untrue then Zenger cannot be charge with libel and found guilt.       3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition? The case had a major influence on American governmental tradition. Lawyers could not argue that if something was the truth then it could not be charged as libel. It also set a precedent that jury could nullify a judge’s decision.       4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

Lasting significance of this trial is that it set many precedents in America law. The standard of freedom of the press was set which is one of the fundamental values in which the United States of America was built off of.