In the spring of 1697, John Lindsay of Baretlock in Renfrew was drawn into the intense judicial scrutiny that defined the Renfrew witch trials. John was one of more than twenty-eight individuals accused during this period of fervor, though he was distinct from others of the same name, including the individual known as "the Bishop." Following his accusation, which centered on charges of attending a witches' meeting, John became one of only seven people from that larger group to be brought to a formal trial.
The legal proceedings against John began on April 13, 1697, but the complexity of the case required a continuation, with the trial resuming on May 12 and concluding on May 19. Ultimately, the court returned a verdict of guilty. Following his conviction, John was sentenced to death and taken to the Gallow Green. On June 10, 1697, the sentence was carried out by the method of strangulation and burning, marking the final stage of his encounter with the early modern Scottish judicial system.