Where was John Surratt on April 14, 1865 ?

[Steve]

(10-14-2017 03:06 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Could Judge Fisher have wanted Surratt convicted, so he did not want official orders that would have declared Surratt was in Elmira on April 14 to be admitted into testimony?

Remember the animosity that went on between the judge and Surratt's lawyer? Geez, guys, stop chewing on a rancid bone!

Judge Fisher definitely was not siding with Surratt and his defense team, but I find it doubtful that Gen. E. G. Lee's testimony would be admissible in a criminal trial anyway since it doesn't establish that Surratt was in Elmira on April 14th or testify to the authenticity of documents or objects that would help establish that fact. But just because something would be inadmissible in a criminal trial doesn't mean one should discount that in any historical investigation.

Laurie, I guess I might have restarted the chewing of this bone with my comment/question about defense witness Dr. Augustus Bissell:

(10-10-2017 03:08 AM)Steve Wrote:  

(03-22-2017 06:26 AM)loetar44 Wrote:  And how reliable is the testimony of Augustus Bissell, who also did not know Surratt but saw him on April 14th in the Brainard House in Elmira.

I thought the prosecution was able to impeach Dr. Bissell's testimony by showing that he wasn't in Elmira on the 14th and brought some of his neighbors to the stand who claimed he wasn't trustworthy. Or is my memory wrong on this point?

Muwahh Hahh Hahh! (Evil laugh!)

Also, I'm still interested in finding out more biographical information on Dr. Augustus Bissell besides what's in the trial transcript, if anybody out there has more information!