Type of trial - Debate

[STS Lincolnite]

(11-02-2014 04:42 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Thanks for any input on the following:
I don't know this about US court rules and procedures and also am no expert on German laws (and, of course, in 1865 laws on this may have differed), but AFAIK as soon as the verdicts are determined, they are to be pronounced in the courtroom in the presence of the accused (sentenced). It is only possible to do so in the absence of the accused in case of a minor crime leading to a sentence to a penalty of less than a certain sum (I believe less than 2000$). The conspirators learned of the verdicts with delay (even after the President had approved the verdicts, and the "Fort Jefferson party" even after the executions.) Why? And - is/was this a usual legal proceeding? Or just legal at military trials?

I am no legal expert either but I think that the proceedings in military trials are different (and as you said, 1865 military trials are probably different than those today). I know the delayed sentence is consistent with a Confederate military trial in the case of the Andrews Raiders - see the book Stealing the General by Russell Bonds (great book!).