Backstage at the Lincoln Assassination

[L Verge]

(02-07-2014 10:12 AM)BettyO Wrote:  What Mary Surratt and "the boys" were really tried for was Treason. Treason always has and still carries the death penalty - or so I was told in a law class I took in college. Kidnapping the President would also be considered a part of the treason penalty as far as I understand the law.

Any lawyers out there who really know?

Mr. Hall taught us about "vicarious liability," a legality based on English common law. It translated to people who became involved in a conspiracy being liable for what any member of that conspiracy might do. The only way to be absolved of guilt was to actively work to stop the conspiracy (as opposed to just dropping out). We would call it "guilt by association" today. I think the legal system calls it "felony murder." I had a judge tell me once that it was what they used to get Charles Manson, who was not at the scene of his concocted crime.