On September 16, 1679, the legal apparatus of Selkirk was brought to bear upon Richard Halywall, a merchant of upper socioeconomic standing. In the early modern Scottish context, the involvement of a man of Richard’s status in proceedings concerning witchcraft remains a notable occurrence, as the majority of those accused during this period were of lower social ranks. The judicial process, recorded under case number C/EGD/816, moved swiftly through the administrative channels of the burgh, placing him directly within the scrutiny of the local court during a period when the prosecution of such crimes remained an active preoccupation of the Scottish judicial system.
The proceedings concluded on the same day they were initiated, as documented in the trial records (T/LA/1187). Rather than proceeding to a verdict or a sentencing phase, the court opted to desert the diet—a procedural decision that effectively terminated the prosecution. Consequently, Richard was released from the charges brought against him, and the matter was closed without further judicial intervention or penalty.