Swiss exonerate executed 'witch'

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GLARUS CITY, Switzerland, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The Swiss state of Glarus has exonerated a woman executed for witchcraft more than 220 years ago and labeled her killing "judicial murder."

The state's parliament voted unanimously Wednesday to clear the name of Anna Goeldi, who in 1782 became the last person to be executed by beheading for the alleged crime of witchcraft, The Independent (Britain) reported Thursday.

The Glarus government said the Protestant church council had no legal authority to try Goeldi, who had been accused of causing her employer's daughter to spit pins and experience convulsions. The government said the council had decided even before the start of her trial that Goeldi was guilty.

A museum in the city of Mollis was opened last year in tribute to Goeldi on the 225th anniversary of her execution.