The Ipswich witchcraft trial

(also known as the second Salem witch trial) was an 1878 American civil court trial in which Lucretia L. S. Brown, an adherent of the Christian Science religion, accused fellow Christian Scientist Daniel H. Spofford of attempting to harm her through his "mesmeric" mental powers. By 1918, it was considered the last witchcraft trial held in the United States. Although the case draws its name from the town in which Brown lived, the trial was held in Salem, Massachusetts. It garnered significant attention for its startling claims and the location in which it was held. The judge dismissed the case.
Daniel Spofford was one of the earliest adherents of MBE from Chrisitian Science. Spofford took one of MBE's classes in metaphysical healing in the early spring of 1875, and graduated in April.
Lucretia Brown was a 50-year-old spinster who lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a town about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Salem, Massachusetts. An injury to her spine in childhood left her an invalid, but she said she had been healed through Christian Science. She suffered a relapse in 1877 and again in 1878, and accused Spofford of having interfered with her health through "mesmermism". Her lawsuit stated:

...that Daniel H. Spofford, of Newburyport, ... is a mesmerist, and practices the art of mesmermism, and by his said art and the power of his mind influences and controls the minds and bodies of other persons, and uses his said power and art for the purposes of injuring the persons and property and social relations of others and does by said means so injure them.
And plaintiff further showeth that the said Daniel H. Spofford has at divers times and places since the year eighteen-hundred and seventy-five wrongfully and maliciously and with intent to injure the plaintiff, caused the plaintiff by means of his said power and art great suffering of body and mind, and spinal pains and neuralgia and a temporary suspension of mind, and still continues to cause the plaintiff the same.
And the plaintiff has reason to fear and does fear that he will continue in the future to cause the same. And the plaintiff says that the said injuries are great and of an irreparable nature, and that she is wholly unable to escape from the control and influence he so exercises upon her and from the aforesaid effects of said control and influence.

Judge Gray dismissed the case, noting the claim was vague and the complaint "framed without a knowledge of the law of equity." The court also said it was not clear how it could prevent such mental control, even if it imprisoned Spofford.
One critical observer called the trial

"one of the most bizarre court-room sessions ever held in the United States.”