LAD #2

LAD #2-Trial of John Peter Zenger (1735)

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was the printer of the New York Weekly Journal. He started out as an apprentice to William Bradford of the New York Gazette. Zenger was most famous for the his trial after being up on charges of seditious libel and his trial was so well known because it was a victory for the freedom of press and in the power of truth.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
The controversy over the charges were that Zenger had the right to write whatever he so chose because of the freedom of the press and Zenger was arrested because of what he wrote about Governor William Cosby. The main controversy was why Zenger was arrested when the freedom of the press existed.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
Zenger's case had a profound influence on American governmental tradition that is the truth is the greatest defense in a libel case. Also that the freedom of the press was in fact legal and would be enforced and relevant in court rulings.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The lasting significance of his trial is that the freedom of the press was legit in America and that you could could print the truth, legally. It also helped proved that the truth is the best evidence to help uncover a fair verdict in trials concerning lebil.