LAD #2 Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was the printer and editor of the New York Weekly Journal around the 1730’s. He would be charged for seditious libel after printing offensive articles against Colonial Governor William Cosby.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

The controversy over Zenger’s charges was that if Zenger was telling the truth then in was not libel. So his lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, used that as their defense. In the end it was determined that Zenger was telling the truth, and he was given a verdict of not guilty.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

This trial influenced American governmental tradition in that it showed that truth was a viable defense against libel. This would be a very important precident set by lawyer Andrew Hamilton.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

The lasting significance of this trial is that due to the outcome, freedom of press was well recognized and even 40 years later, the constitution looked back on this trial. It helped to establish the First Amendment which states our freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, and freedom of press, which was the basis of the Zenger trial.