What Was The Role of David Herold

[JMadonna]

(04-19-2013 07:58 AM)Gene C Wrote:  In addition to that quote is this one from Dark Union - chapter notes p 263-264
May 17, 1865, Cobb said after seeing a picture of David Herold that "I do not think he was the man" who crossed the bridge a few minutes after Booth'

By not implicating Herold, Cobb avoided being cross-examined by Herold's attorney. IMO it was a sharp move by whoever coached him.

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(04-19-2013 12:55 PM)wsanto Wrote:  The clincher for me is that Fletcher testifys that Cobb was going to let him across without a pass but wouldn't let him return.

It seems pretty evident that Cobb was letting anyone across into Maryland without a pass that night as long as they looked reasonble and had a satisfactory reason for crossing.

Also the fact that the court did not pursue any line of questioning concerning passes, curfew, etc. with Cobb is evident that Cobb's actions were acceptable if not routine.

I disagree.

Cobb had testified BEFORE Fletcher. Fletcher could have just as easily got it wrong. He never said that Cobb said 'Yes' . As I read it Cobb answered his question 'Can I Cross" with another question. 'How will you get back?'. After explaining the rules Fletcher may have thought he made the decision not to cross but in reality Cobb never told him that he would pass him.

You are correct that the court did not pursue any line of questioning concerning passes, curfew, etc.. Probably because Cobb's testimony had nothing to do with the guilt or innocence of the conspirators.