Trial of Edward TeachTrial of Edward Teach

Case BackgroundCase Background

• Real name – Edward Real name – Edward Teach.Teach.

• Born in England.Born in England.• Sailed and trained Sailed and trained

under Captain under Captain Benjamin Hornigold.Benjamin Hornigold.

• Became Captain of Became Captain of captured ship captured ship named “Queen named “Queen Anne’s Revenge”.Anne’s Revenge”.

Case BackgroundCase Background

• Terrorized the Eastern coast of the American Colonies for more than a decade.

• In 1718, Blackbeard blockaded Charleston, S.C.

Charges Against BlackbeardCharges Against Blackbeard

• Edward Teach (Blackbeard) is charges Edward Teach (Blackbeard) is charges with the following:with the following:– Boarding Spanish and French ships and Boarding Spanish and French ships and

pilfering their cargo.pilfering their cargo.– Forcing foreign sailors to join his crew.Forcing foreign sailors to join his crew.– The murder of dozens of Spanish, English The murder of dozens of Spanish, English

and French sailors / soldiers.and French sailors / soldiers.

HomicideHomicide

• 11stst Degree Murder Degree Murder– Pre-meditated murderPre-meditated murder

• 22ndnd Degree Murder Degree Murder– Murder without pre-meditation.Murder without pre-meditation.

• ManslaughterManslaughter– Accidental homicideAccidental homicide..

Prosecution’s StatementProsecution’s Statement

• ““Ladies and Gentlemen of the Tribunal, I intend Ladies and Gentlemen of the Tribunal, I intend to prove that the defendant, Blackbeard, is guilty to prove that the defendant, Blackbeard, is guilty of pilfering and stealing from the French and the of pilfering and stealing from the French and the Spanish. He also is guilty of forcing dozens of Spanish. He also is guilty of forcing dozens of men to join his crew without allowing them to men to join his crew without allowing them to leave the ship . While most believe Blackbeard leave the ship . While most believe Blackbeard to be hero, I will prove that he is guilty of cold to be hero, I will prove that he is guilty of cold blooded murder. You must find the defendant blooded murder. You must find the defendant guilty of all charges and sentence him to death.”guilty of all charges and sentence him to death.”

Defense’s StatementDefense’s Statement

• ““My client is charged with murder and thievery. My client is charged with murder and thievery. Firstly, I must say that Mr. Teach was only following Firstly, I must say that Mr. Teach was only following the King’s ruling. As a designated Privateer, he was the King’s ruling. As a designated Privateer, he was ordered to board Spanish and French ships and take ordered to board Spanish and French ships and take their cargo in the name of King and country. their cargo in the name of King and country. Secondly, it is a tragedy that many of Mr. Teach’s Secondly, it is a tragedy that many of Mr. Teach’s enemies died during these military confrontations, enemies died during these military confrontations, but this was merely self-defense. As far as forcing but this was merely self-defense. As far as forcing men to join his crew, this is absolutely untrue…You men to join his crew, this is absolutely untrue…You can interview any man on the Queen Anne and they can interview any man on the Queen Anne and they will pledge their allegiance to Mr. Teach. For these will pledge their allegiance to Mr. Teach. For these reasons, you must find my client NOT GUILTY of all reasons, you must find my client NOT GUILTY of all charges.charges.