Judge Vail

Judge Vail was a minor recurring character featured in the 1960s Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows. He was played by actor John Beal and introduced in episode 1165. Judge Vail made nine appearances in the series overall.

Biography
Judge Vail was a county judge who worked in the town of Collinsport, Maine in the mid 19th century. He was the head of a tribunal that presided over the trial of Quentin Collins, who was accused of witchcraft as well as murdering a notable local man named Mordecai Grimes.

Quentin Collins called upon the services of his own time-displaced cousin, Barnabas Collins, to serve as his defense council. Barnabas argued valiantly on Quentin's behalf, but it was the decision of the tribunal that Quentin was guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to be beheaded.