In those days witches were considered REAL and spectral evidence allowed in courts.
Women who were accused and plead “guilty” were fined and given jail time. Those who plead “Not Guilty” were found guilty in a court of law and hanged.
Them man who refused a plea and was crushed under rocks saved his farm and family from having all their goods confiscated by the local sheriff who had confiscated the goods of those who mad pleas.
This madness came to an end when those in another town ignored the girls when they went into their “act”.
There are today many who still believe in witchcraft. Just go to your local book store and see what is on the shelves in the “Occult, New Age and Self Improvement” sections.
I also read that as the frenzy continued one girl was brought before a judge and accused of flying. The judge said he looked at all the laws and can’t fine any law against flying. This was part of the beginning of the end of the trials.