Bridget Bishop was the first accused witch to be brought to trial. Her trial began on June 2, 1692, and after eight days of testimony, Bishop was found guilty and hung on June 10, 1692. Over the summer, the trials grew rapidly in number. Any person who mocked or showed skepticism risked being accused themselves. This was exemplified with John Proctor, who publically denounced the trials. Soon after Proctor openly ridiculed the accusations of witchcraft, he was sent to trial and hanged. Therefore, most people were forced to follow with the accusations, no matter what their true opinion was in an attempt to spare their life. In autumn of 1692, the people of Salem finally began developing doubts as to how so many respectable people could be witches.
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