Who was deeply concerned about the implications of executing innocent individuals during the trials?

Reverend Hale is deeply concerned about the implications of executing innocent individuals during the trials because he undergoes a significant transformation throughout the play. Initially, he arrives in Salem confident in his ability to identify witches and rid the community of them. However, as the trials progress and he witnesses the wrongful accusations and the impact they have on innocent people, Hale becomes increasingly troubled. He recognizes that the court is more concerned with maintaining its authority and power than with seeking true justice.

Hale’s moral struggle culminates in a profound change of heart where he tries to save the lives of those unjustly condemned. This is particularly evident when he urges Elizabeth Proctor to convince John to falsely confess to witchcraft, as he fears that regardless of their innocence, the judicial system is failing them. Hale's character illustrates the theme of integrity and the responsibility individuals have to speak out against injustices, reflecting the broader societal implications of the Salem witch trials.