Trial T/LA/618

Trial Summary
Trial RefT/LA/618
CaseCrystie,Katherene
AccusedKatherene Crystie
Location
Outcome
DefenceNo
High StatusNo
Female Accusers0
Male Accusers0
Pre-Trial
ArrestYes — 1630
Confronting SuspectsNo

Notes: In 1630 they arrested her again without cause. The PC ordered her release and put a £1000 caution on her appearance at court in Edinburgh. The Lord Chief Justice decided to appoint deputes. The narration of a later PC supplication by the ministers of Dysart explains why. They requested that her trial should not be moved to Edinburgh due to the poverty of the Burgh of Dysart. The Lord Chief Justice agreed. They specified that since her first trial (ending in acquittal and release) many confessed witches had denounced her. The bailies and ministers requested and received a new order for arrest. The bailie David Chrystie refused to arrest her because the warrant did not specify the breaking down of doors. The ministers sought a new commission for breaking down doors. They appointed Alexander Colville, justice depute, as prosecutor. She resisted arrest for a while, turned herself in so the case could proceed, but no charges were filed against her with Colville, so she requested and got an order for release from prison in Dysart.

DatePrisonLocationFate in Prison
TolboothDysartReleased
15/8/1630TolboothDysart

DateBodyTypeSeal
16/3/1630Privy CouncilRelease
26/5/1630Privy CouncilJusticiary
13/7/1630Privy CouncilInterrogation and Arrest
22/7/1630Privy CouncilArrest
11/11/1630Privy CouncilRelease

The Lord's advocate appointed people for her trial in Dysart, she objected to some of them, and the PC ordered them removed from her trial.

The ministers and bailies of Dysart wanted permission to re-arrest her.

The bailies failed to arrest her due to a loophole in the warrant. So the ministers sought and received another warrant.

She was imprisoned in Dysart, but no complaints came in, therefore released on caution.

DateTypeWhere LodgedWitch Pricker
16/3/1630Suspect'sPrivy Council
26/5/1630Suspect'sPrivy Council
11/11/1630Suspect'sPrivy Council

NameTitleInvolvementWitch Pricker
Alexander Colville Mr Prosecutor
David Crichton fiar of Lugton Judge
George Hamilton of Blackburn Judge
James Weymss Sir of Bogie Judge
Trial Notes
A central justiciary trial was ordered on 16/3/1630, then the Lord Chief Justice appointed deputies to run the trial in the locality. Three local men were appointed then removed after the suspect complained to the PC. The local bailies and ministers were then re-appointed after they appealed to the PC. The trial was relocated back to Dysart with central representatives.