In The Crucible, why were John Proctor, Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse targeted as the main suspects in the witch trials?

John,
Martha and Rebecca were leaders in the community. They were respected and even feared for their
outspoken and direct criticism of other leading members of Salem society. As such, they had many
enemies and it can thus be expected that when the accusations of witchcraft were lodged, they
would be targeted. It was a method by which their enemies could take revenge.

To clarify why they were specifically targeted as the main suspects, one needs to
scrutinise each of the three individually and look at their positions, relationships
and influences within the broader Salem community.

John Proctor

In his notes,provides the following description of John:

Proctor was a farmer in his middle thirties. He need not have been a partisan of any
faction in the town, but there is evidence to suggest that he had a sharp and biting way with
hypocrites. He was the kind of man - powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led - who
cannot refuse support to partisans with-out drawing...