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This means intentionally withholding a plea. An accused person would do this to protect their family or to ensure that their property could be inherited by the family. Up to the Georgian times the punishment for this for both men and women was to be pressed. Prisoners were put on a cold floor and heavy weights placed on their chest. They were given only foul water and rotten food (if at all). This continued until they died, few lasted more than 5 days.