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Lynching is the practice whereby a mob- usually several dozen or several hundred persons, takes the law into it’s own hands in
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"Lynching is the practice whereby a mob- usually several dozen or several hundred persons, takes the law into it's own hands in order to injure and kill a person accused of some wrongdoing. The alleged offense can range from a serious crime like theft or murder to a mere violation of local customs and sensibilities. The issue of the victim's guilt is usually secondary, since the mob serves as prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner. Due process yields to momentary passions and expedient objectives." The term lynch law was made up by colonel Charles Lynch and his Virginia associates, during the American Revolution. Originating this law was the way the Colonel and his associates responded to unsettled times, by making their own rules for confronting Tories and criminal elements. As the nation expanded "lynching" was easily accepted. The targets in the 19th century were people who opposed slavery in pre-civil...
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