LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
In 1710, John Peter Zenger came to New York from Germany. He worked as a journalist for William Bradford who was the printer of the New York Gazette. He then began to work for a group of wealthy men who established the New York Weekly Journal. Zenger was the printer and editor of The Weekly Journal until he was arrested in 1734 for publishing articles criticizing Governor Cosby.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
Zenger spent over eight months in prison and was charged with seditious libel upon his arrest. John Peter Zenger was defended in trial by Philadelphia lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, who decided to plead directly to the jury.  Hamilton argued and confirmed that Zenger did publish the critical and offending stories, but denied that it would do harm to Cosby's reputation unless it was false.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
The results of the trial of John Peter Zenger was an important victory in history for freedom of the press. Also, truth was established as a defense against libel in court and the trial set a precedent in libel suits against judicial tyranny. 

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
One of the long lasting impacts of the Zenger trial is freedom of press in America, which was affirmed when Hamilton established that a printed or written statement is not libelous if it can be proved. The trial of John Peter Zenger was a landmark in American History.