Thomas F. Harney

[Gene C]

(11-14-2014 06:50 PM)KateH. Wrote:  There were witnesses at the trial who testified to the childlike demeanor of David Herold. But making a statement inside a courtroom does not make the statement true

To conclude, there is also strong evidence that David Herold did not have the mentality of an 11 year old. Instead, that ploy was used to exhibit the reason why execution would not be a fitting punishment in such a case. While that tactic failed to sway the opinions of jury, it seems to have swayed the opinions of historians ever since the hangman's noose tightened around Mr. Herold's neck.

I'm not so sure. I believe these witnesses thought Herold was a few bricks shy of a full load. They met him and talked with him. I don't think Herold had the mentality of an 11 year old, but I can believe he was immature for his age, a Booth groupie who got caught up in knowing a celebrity and enjoyed being seen with him. He didn't have the sense that Arnold & O'Laughlen had to get out of the conspiracy. Booth probably had a stronger influence on him than he did the others. Any attention Booth gave him would make him feel important, as his father had died in Oct, of 64'. I imagine Herold was also interrogated pretty hard, and it's no wonder his story may have been inconsistent, he was scared to death.

And John, do you think the number of people involved in the grand conspiracy may be like a lot of copperhead subversive activities. Lot's of people show up at the meetings and talk big in front of their friends, but none really will do anything. (Kind of like church - the old 80/20 rule. It's the same 20% of the people who do 80% of the work.)