John Surratt's real parents?

[L Verge]

I have debated this for over fifty years, and I personally believe that Mrs. Surratt would have still been executed because she (like the three men who hanged) were still involved with Booth up to within mere hours of the assassination. On the other hand, her son would fall in the category of Arnold, O'Laughlen, and Mudd who had no dealings with Booth (supposedly) once the kidnap was aborted. Following that "selection criteria," young Surratt would have been eligible for prison.

Laurie, I agree. But I wonder how this might have effected Andrew Johnson's "knowledge" of the clemency petition. I wonder if he would have approved hanging for the mother when the son was getting life. IMO he might have commuted her sentence so both mother and son would get life. Does this make sense?

It makes sense, but maybe there would not be a clemency plea to consider. Maybe they both would have hanged. Or, remember the clemency plea had nothing to do with the question of guilt or innocence - just age and gender - so maybe Mrs. Surratt would still have had a chance for prison. What would each of you have done if you were on the military court and faced with a judgment call in the case of Mary Surratt?