Katherine Potter of Dysart, a town in Fife, Scotland, became entangled in the fervent witch hunts that swept across the region during the 17th century. Historical records reveal that Katherine became the subject of an investigation by the local authorities in August of 1649. The case against Katherine was part of a larger inquiry involving multiple individuals accused of practicing witchcraft. Although the names of the other individuals remain unspecified, it was noted that two others were identified as witches through the method of "pricking," a disturbing and dubious practice used to extract confessions.
Katherine's trial occurred in August of 1649. The trial records, preserved under entry T/JO/1450, indicate a guilty verdict. The process leading to this outcome included a recorded confession from Katherine, dated July of that year, which played a pivotal role in sealing her fate before the court. A kirk session entry dated August 7, 1649, officially notes that she was "fyllied," or found guilty. These proceedings reflect the intense pressure and the atmosphere of fear that characterized witch trials of the time, often leading to confessions extracted under duress.