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No one made the law in Salem, witchcraft was a recognised crime for hundreds of years before that dating back to Ancient Egyipt and Babalonian times. Fast forward to the 14th century and Pope John XXII formalized the persecution of witchcraft in 1320 when he authorized the Inquisition to prosecute sorcery. This Inquisition lasted at least till 1700. During the 18th century which hunts died out mostly but people were still put to death if suspected of witchcraft. The witchcraft act wasn't repealed until 1951 in Britain and the last person to be tried under it although not executed was Helen Duncan, a medium. As for Salem, it was a superstitious time, the law, was the law of the church and so it was also the law of the land. The people officiating and leading the trial would probably have been clergy since they were trusted to know about these things which were more to do with the spiritual realm than the physical. Hope this helps.

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