In Act 3, Part 3 of The Crucible, two different claims of evidence are presented to Danforth and the court.
The first claim of evidence comes from the character of Mary Warren, who testifies that the girls' accusations of witchcraft are false and that they have been pretending all along. Mary presents evidence in the form of a doll that she made for Elizabeth Proctor, which was later found in the Proctors' house with a needle stuck in it. Mary explains that Abigail had seen her make the doll and had accused Elizabeth of using it to harm her. Mary's testimony and the doll provide evidence that the girls' accusations are based on lies and deceit.
The second claim of evidence comes from the character of Reverend Hale, who presents evidence that casts doubt on the validity of the court's proceedings. Hale argues that the accused are being unfairly prosecuted based on flimsy evidence and that the court is ignoring important facts and testimony. Hale presents evidence in the form of his own observations and experiences, including the fact that he believes that Proctor and his wife are honest and good people who would not be involved in witchcraft. Hale's testimony and arguments provide evidence that the court's proceedings are flawed and unjust.
Both claims of evidence are important in shaping Danforth and the court's decisions. Mary's testimony and the doll provide evidence that the girls' accusations are false, which should logically lead to the release of the accused. Hale's testimony and arguments, on theother hand, challenge the validity of the court's proceedings and suggest that the accused are being wrongly prosecuted. However, despite the evidence presented, Danforth and the court ultimately choose to ignore it and continue with the trials, demonstrating the power of fear and hysteria in shaping their decisions.