Source: The Boston Globe

Wire Service: AP

On November 1, 2004 the Associated Press reported that "pardoning those who were persecuted during the witch hysteria in this city in the 17th century 'sounds like a good idea,' the mayor said. Stanley Usovicz was intrigued by a Scottish township's plan to pardon 81 people who were executed for witchcraft there, The Salem News reported... A good date for such a pardon might be in 2007, Usovicz said, the 315th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. 'But I would suggest that anytime is a good time to forgive,' he said."