Booth's Escape Route

[RJNorton]

(01-18-2013 12:11 PM)william l. richter Wrote:  But he defended Mrs. Surratt until the end, as any Southern gentleman would.

I agree with Bill and his reason, but I also have another reason which is different. Over the past few years I have moved from thinking Mary not only knew about the kidnapping but probably knew about the assassination as well. It is my gut feeling that Booth told her at about 9:00 P.M. on April 14, if not earlier (at one of his previous visits that day). After Booth departed for the theater Mary got real nervous and then asked Weichmann to pray for her intentions. I think Lewis Powell felt Mary had at least vague knowledge of the kidnapping, but he had no idea she may also have known the plot had changed to assassination. So my belief is that Powell was being honest when he defended her - I just don't think he knew the degree of her complicity with JWB. Just my opinion.