15 Bizarre Court Cases That Changed History

Here's a collection of 15 bizarre and fascinating court cases that, despite their strangeness, shaped legal history and human society.

Alyana Aguja
October 30, 2025
5 min read

15 Bizarre Court Cases That Changed History — Claire Anderson from Unsplash

Throughout history, courts have tried not only people but also animals, objects, and ideas, resulting in some of the strangest legal spectacles ever recorded. These unusual trials, ranging from the Salem Witch Trials to lawsuits over exploding cigars, reveal how law adapts to social fears, cultural values, and shifting definitions of justice. While many seem absurd today, each played a role in shaping modern legal systems and the boundaries of human reason.

1. 1. The Cadaver Synod (897)

In one of the strangest trials in history, Pope Stephen VI ordered the corpse of his predecessor, Pope Formosus, to be dug up and placed on trial. Dressed in papal robes, the body was accused of perjury and violating church law. The grotesque spectacle ended with Formosus’ body being mutilated and thrown into the Tiber River.

2. 2. The Trial of the Weevils (1587)

In Saint-Julien, France, a swarm of weevils was accused of destroying vineyards. The court actually assigned lawyers to represent the insects, who argued that the creatures had a right to exist since God created them. The case was dismissed after the townsfolk provided the pests with an alternative plot of land.

3. 3. Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932)

This British case began when a woman found a decomposed snail in her ginger beer. She sued the manufacturer, and the ruling established the modern concept of negligence and the duty of care in product liability. It became a cornerstone of consumer protection law worldwide.

4. 4. The Trial of the Pigs of Falaise (1386)

In France, a pig was put on trial for killing a child and was sentenced to death by hanging. To make the punishment symbolic, the pig was dressed in human clothes before the execution. Such animal trials reflected the medieval belief that animals could be held morally accountable.

5. 5. The Case of the Exploding Cigar (1924)

In the United States, a man sued a cigar manufacturer after a cigar exploded in his face. The court ruled that the manufacturer was liable for negligence, strengthening laws on consumer safety. Though comical, the case highlighted the importance of protecting buyers from defective products.

6. 6. The Salem Witch Trials (1692)

In colonial Massachusetts, dozens of people were accused of witchcraft and faced execution after highly dubious trials. Spectral evidence and public hysteria led to tragic miscarriages of justice. The trials remain a cautionary tale about fear overriding reason in the courtroom.

7. 7. Roe v. Wade (1973)

Although often discussed in political terms, the case itself was unusual because “Jane Roe” was a pseudonym for a woman who never actually received the abortion she sought. The Supreme Court’s decision legalized abortion nationwide, igniting decades of debate. It profoundly reshaped reproductive rights and constitutional law in the United States.

8. 8. The Trial of Galileo (1633)

Galileo Galilei was tried by the Roman Catholic Church for advocating heliocentrism, the idea that the Earth revolves around the sun. Found guilty of heresy, he was forced to recant and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. The case symbolized the clash between science and religious authority.

9. 9. Pierson v. Post (1805)

This American case involved a hunter chasing a fox that was ultimately caught by another man. The court ruled that the person who killed the fox owned it, not the one who pursued it. The ruling shaped property law and is still studied in law schools today.

10. 10. United States v. One Book Called Ulysses (1933)

James Joyce’s novel Ulysses was banned in the U.S. for obscenity until this landmark case. A judge ruled the book was not obscene, paving the way for greater freedom in literature. The case helped redefine artistic expression and censorship laws.

11. 11. The Trial of the Eels of Basel (1474)

In Switzerland, an eel was accused of eating too many fish in a pond and disrupting the ecosystem. The bizarre trial was part of a larger tradition of medieval animal prosecutions. Though ridiculous today, it illustrates how communities once sought justice against nature itself.

12. 12. The Monkey Trial (1925)

Formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Scopes, this trial challenged a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in schools. The courtroom turned into a media spectacle, with Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan clashing in a heated debate. The case highlighted the tension between science and religion in American education.

13. 13. The Trial of the Shirt (1480s)

In Italy, a shirt was actually put on trial after being involved in a stabbing incident. Authorities argued that the bloodied garment was evidence of guilt and symbolic of crime itself. While absurd, it reflected the medieval tendency to extend moral weight to objects.

14. 14. The Case of the Stolen Mustache (1890s)

In Paris, a man sued another for cutting off his mustache during a quarrel, claiming emotional damage and loss of dignity. The court agreed and awarded him damages, recognizing personal appearance as a protected right. It was one of the earliest cases to address personal identity in law.

15. 15. The Trial of the Rats of Autun (1522)

A French court summoned a group of rats accused of destroying crops. When the rodents did not appear, their lawyer argued they could not attend because the journey was too dangerous due to cats. The court dismissed the case, but it remains one of the most peculiar examples of animal trials in history.