NEW YORK WEEKLY JOURNAL

The reference was to the Royal Governor of New York, William Cosby. He was not mentioned by name but the context was very clear that it was he who was being lampooned. The Governor was furious, and had the New York Weekly Journal press burned to the ground. Then the crown prosecuted the publisher, Peter Zenger. This was one of the most famous trials in American history. Although it was clear that the existing law against defamation had been violated, the jury of New York colonists acquitted Zenger. To this day prosecutors in England and America are very worried about what has been called “jury nullification” of the law, and every state except Maryland has strung laws making it difficult if not impossible for a defense attorney to even suggest that the jury should quit because the law is wanting or unjust. The 1st Amendment was very much influences by the Zenger case.

The reference was to the Royal Governor of New York, William Cosby. He was not mentioned by name but the context was very clear that it was he who was being lampooned. The Governor was furious, and had the New York Weekly Journal press burned to the ground. Then the crown prosecuted the publisher, Peter Zenger. This was one of the most famous trials in American history. Although it was clear that the existing law against defamation had been violated, the jury of New York colonists acquitted Zenger. To this day prosecutors in England and America are very worried about what has been called “jury nullification” of the law, and every state except Maryland has strung laws making it difficult if not impossible for a defense attorney to even suggest that the jury should quit because the law is wanting or unjust. The 1st Amendment was very much influences by the Zenger case.