1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was a printer and editor for the New York Weekly Journal, hired by an opposition group against Colonial Governor William Cosby who was very controversial in his prosecution of the interim Governor of the time along with removing and replacing the Chief justice from court which angered many people.
2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
The prosecutors stated that Zenger was writing false information in his journals against Cosby but this was controversial because as Hamilton stated what Zenger was writing was actually true and he could not be convicted of writing about facts in his journal.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
This trial influences freedom of the press if what is being printed by the press is factual. From this case an example was also set against any unfair legal oppression in the courts.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
This trial holds lasting significance because Zenger was not unfairly charged because of his criticisms of Governor Cosby which therefore confirmed the freedom of the press in America and stopped the allowance of any unfair charges in the courts with the new defense of truth against any offense.
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