Lincoln vs Booth mano a mano

[wsanto]

Booth probably had the knife in hand when he pulled the trigger. He was probably prepared for a misfire. We know he slashed Rathbone with-in a second or two from the shot. He must have been holding the knife all along.

I am sure there would have been a slight pause to register the misfire but the end reult would be the same except Boothh may not have escaped Rathbone.