The Italian Inquisition was also generally skeptical of witchcraft, perhaps partly because of its strict rules on accepting evidence. The testimony of witnesses of poor reputation was not admitted; alleged participants in Sabbaths were not allowed to name accomplices; implausible confessions were regularly deemed invalid; failure of the accused to show emotion during interrogation was not regarded as significant; the accused was given a defense lawyer, who was provided with a copy of the trial proceedings; torture was permitted only after the defense was heard.79 In 1582 a minor judge in the
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