#1

Zenna,Aghajanian
Period5
1/31/17

MockTrial

Bailiff:Allrise.Courttrialisnowinsession.JudgeJoseph

Radcliffpresiding.Pleasebeseated.

Judge:Callingthecaseofthepeopleofthecountryofthe

UnitedStatesversusJohnWilkesBooth.BetweenthedatesApril

14,1865-April26,1865.Boothisaccusedofthefollowing

crimes:firstdegreemurder,conspiracy,andassaultwitha

deadlyweapon..(pg.39,26-27,42)Iseachsidepreparedtomake

theircase?

ProsecutingAttorney:Readyforthepeople,YourHonor.

DefenseAttorney:Readyforthedefense,YourHonor.

Judge:Willtheclerkpleaseswearinthejury?

Clerk:Willthejurypleasestandandraiseyourrighthand?Do

youswearthatyouwillfairlytrythecasebeforethiscourt,

andthatyouwillreturnanhonestverdictaccordingtothe

evidenceandinstructionsprovidedbythecourt,sohelpyou,

God?PleasesayIdo.Youmaybeseated.

ProsecutingAttorney:YourHonor,andladiesandgentlemenof

thejury,onthenightofApril15,1865,PresidentAbraham
LincolnattendedtheplayOurAmericanCousinatFordsTheater

(pg.11).Alittlemorethanhalfwaythroughthecomedy,at

around10p.m.,JohnWilkesBoothshotthePresidentintheback

ofthehead,ontheleftsidebelowhisear,committinga

capitaloffense(pg.41).ItwaslaterdiscoveredthatMr.Booth

useda.44caliber,single-shot,Derringerpistoltothiscrime

(pg.16).BoothwasclearlyseenoutsidethePresidentialBoxin

FordsTheatertalkingtoLincolnsservant,CharlesForbes,

beforeenteringthePresidentialBoxandshootingthePresident

(pg.36).Earlierthatday,BoothvisitedMarySurrattsboarding

housewithapackage,requestingthatit,andfiringarms,be

readyforhimatthelocationthatnight(pg.16).Aftershooting

thePresident,MajorHenryRathbone,whohadaccompaniedLincoln

thatnight,clearlysawBoothsfacethroughthesmoke(pg.43).

WhenMajorRathboneattemptedtointerceptBoothsescape,he

wasattackedandviolentlystabbedintheshoulderwithaRio

Grandeknife(pg.20,42).Aftercommittingthesecondcrimeof

thenight,assault,BoothjumpedoutofthePresidentialBoxand

shoutedthestatemottoofVirginia,beforerunningoff.Henry

Hawk,theactorthatwascurrentlyonstage,alongwiththe

entirecrowdinthetheaterrecognizedthefamousactorashe

ranoffstage(pg.43).Justafewhourslater,newsofanother
assassinationcametoview,makingthingsveryclear;this

wasaconspiracy(pg.79).Boothmastermindedtheconspiracywith

DavidHerold,GeorgeAtzerodt,andLewisPowell,inanattempt

tocreateathree-wayassassinationthatwouldridthepeopleof

thePresident,VicePresident,andtheSecretaryofState

(pg.26-27).Boothevenimplicatedhisfellowconspiratorsby

entrustingalettertoafriend,whowastoseethatitwas

publishedthefollowingdayinthenewspaper(pg.27).Inthe

letter,notonlydidBoothexplaintheassassinations,buthe

signedhisconspiratorsnamestotheletteraswell(pg.28).

Fourdayslater,onApril18,1865,Boothdiscoveredtheletter

hadntbeenpublished,anddecidedthathewouldwritealetter

tohistory.Inhisdatebook,Boothincludedreasoningbehind

hisactions,alongwiththedetailsofhowhecommittedtheact

(pg.138-139).Thedefendantisguiltyascharged.

DefenseAttorney:YourHonor,Counsel,andladiesand

gentlemenofthejury,thereisfarmoretothisthenitseems.

Myclient,JohnWilkesBooth,admitstocommittingthecrimeshe

ischargedwith,however,hehasagoodreasoningbehindhis

actions.Mr.Boothhadbeendepressedforawhile,priorto

killingthePresident(pg.9).Hewasdisappointedafterhearing

thenewsthattheCivilWarhadended,andthatblackpeoplemay
begrantedtherighttovote(pg.7).TheideaofRichmond,the

capitoloftheConfederacy,beingdefeated,angeredand

frustratedmyclient(pg.7-8).Thenightoftheassassination,

Boothwasnothimself.Theusualhandsome,talentedactor,had

madewayforawilder,moredangerousJohnWilkesBooth.When

Mr.BoothattackedMajorRathbone,itwasclearthathewas

nearlymad.Withhiswildeyes,andghostlyskin(pg.42),Booth

couldhaveeasilybeenmistakenforthedevilhimself!One

cannotaccuseamadmanofviolentactsifheisinsane.As

Mr.Boothwasexitingthetheater,hestoppedonthecenterof

thestage,makingitperfectlycleartotheaudienceand

attendeesoftheplaythepurposeofhisactions.Boothshouted

theVirginiastatemotto,Sicsempertyrannis,beforeshouting

TheSouthisavenged!whileholdinghisbloodydaggerinthe

air.IfthisdidntmakeitobviousastoMr.Boothsintentions,

thenthereisalsothecaseofhisdatebook.Whatmyfellow

attorneyfailedtoincludeinhisexplanationofwhatBooth

wroteinhisdatebook,washisexactintentions,alongwith

whathebelievedwouldcomeoutofkillingthePresident

(pg.139).Booth...longedfortheSouthasitwasanddeplored

theUnion.Inaddition,thereisthecaseofhisneardeath

experience.WhenMr.Boothwasshot,hehadbelievedthenextfew
minuteswouldbehislast(pg.175).Sweptupinthemoment,

Boothhadwhispered,TellMother,Idieformycountry.This

man,whohasbeenthroughmuch,pleadsguiltyforagoodcause.

Judge:Theprosecutionmaycallitsfirstwitness.

ProsecutingAttorney:Yes,YourHonor.Iwouldliketocallmy

firstwitness,JohnPeanut.

CourtroomDeputy(ToJohnPeanut):Pleaseraiseyourrighthand.

Doyousweartotellthetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbut

thetruth,sohelpyouGod?PleasesayIdo.

JohnPeanut:Ido.

Clerk:Pleasestateandspellyourfirstandlastname.

JohnPeanut:J-o-h-nP-e-a-n-u-t,JohnPeanut.

ProsecutingAttorney:Wheredoyouwork,youngman?

JohnPeanut:IworkatFordsTheater,Sir(pg.34).

ProsecutingAttorney:Andwhatdoyouworkas?

JohnPeanut:Isellpeanutstothepeopleinthetheater,Sir

(pg.34).

ProsecutingAttorney:Sothen,tellme,wereyouatthetheater

thenightofApril14,1865?

JohnPeanut:YesIwas.

ProsecutingAttorney:Anddidanyoneapproachyou?

DefenseAttorney:Objection,YourHonor,improperquestioning.
Judge:Objectionsustained,prosecution,pleaseaskanother

question.

ProsecutingAttorney:Didanythingunusualoccurthatday?

JohnPeanut:Inaway,yes.

ProsecutingAttorney:Whathappened?

JohnPeanut:Well,throughouttheday,everythingwasnormal.I

wentaboutmytypicalschedule.Usually,Ireporttothetheater

intheeveningsformydailyshift.Asyouknow,Imincharge

ofsellingsnacks.Rightafterdoingmyroundsbetweentherows

ofseats,Iwilloutsideformybreak.Onthe14th,Icameout

formybreakthroughthebackdoorratherthanthefront.AsI

wasstandingthere,Iwasapproachedbyafamiliarlookingman.

Aftertakingagoodlookathim,IrealizedhewasJohnWilkes

Booth.

ProsecutingAttorney:Anddidthismantalktoyouatall?

JohnPeanut:Yes,Sir.Heaskedmetoholdthereinsofhismare

forhim(pg.34).

ProsecutingAttorney:Andwhatdidhelooklike?

JohnPeanut:Hehaddarkhairandeyes,andfacial

hair(pg.2,10).Hewaswearingdarkclothing;blackknee-high

ridingbootswithspurs,ablackfeltslouchhat,ablackwool

coat,andblackpants(pg.20).
ProsecutingAttorney:Anddidthismancomebackforhishorse?

JohnPeanut:Aye.

ProsecutingAttorney:Andwhatdidhedooncehegothishorse

back?

DefenseAttorney:Objection!He-

Judge:-Objectionoverruled.Youmayproceed.

JohnPeanut:Whenhecamebacktoretrievehismare,hewasin

quiteahurriedstate.Icouldhearcommotioninthetheater,

andtherewasamanwhotriedtointercepthisescape.He

grabbedaholdofthereins,butthemanwhoownedthehorse

gallopedawaybeforetheothermancouldstophim(pg.61).

ProsecutingAttorney:(GesturestothesittingJ.W.Booth)Was

thisthemanthatgaveyouhishorsetotendto?ThisisJohn

WilkesBooth.Areyoustillsureyousawhim?

JohnPeanut:Yes,Sir.

ProsecutingAttorney:Thankyou.Ihavenofurtherquestions,

YourHonor.

Judge:Doesthedefensehaveanyquestions?

DefenseAttorney:Notcurrently,YourHonor.

Judge:Thewitnessisexcused.Theprosecutionmaycallitsnext

witness.
ProsecutingAttorney:TheprosecutioncallsCharlesForbesto

thestand.

CourtroomDeputy(ToCharlesForbes):Pleaseraiseyourright

hand.Doyousweartotellthetruth,thewholetruth,and

nothingbutthetruth,sohelpyouGod?PleasesayIdo.

CharlesForbes:Ido.

Clerk:Pleasestateandspellyourfirstandlastname.

CharlesForbes:C-h-a-r-l-e-sF-o-r-b-e-s,CharlesForbes.

ProsecutingAttorney:So,whatdoyoudoforaliving?

CharlesForbes:Iam,orwas,aservantofPresidentLincolns.

ProsecutingAttorney:Didyouenjoyyourjob?

CharlesForbes:Myjobcanbegrueling,butMisterLincolnwasa

kindman,andhetreatedmewell.

ProsecutingAttorney:AndwherewereyouthenightofGood

Friday,the14th?

CharlesForbes:Iwasaccompanyinghimonhisexcursionto

FordsTheater.

ProsecutingAttorney:AndwhatdidyoudowhileLincolnwas

watchingtheplay?

CharlesForbes:Iguardedhisbox,standingoutsideofitto

ensuremyMasterwouldstaysafe.IguessIfailed

ProsecutingAttorney:Whywouldyousaythat?
CharlesForbes:WhileIwasguardingLincolnsbox,aman,whoI

laterlearnedwasJohnWilkesBooth,cameuptomeandshowedme

hiscallingcard(pg.36).Ididntthinkmuchofit.Iassumed

thathewishedtospeakwiththePresident.Butlookingback

now,Idorememberseeingtheglintofmetalinthemanscoat

pocket.Whentheshotwasfired,Iinstantlyknewsomethingwas

wrong.

ProsecutingAttorney:Whatdidyoudo?

CharlesForbes:Iimmediatelywenttoopenthedoorofthe

box,butitwasblocked.Itwasmyresponsibilitytotakecare

ofmypresident,andIfailed.Ididntattempttostophim,or

questionhim!Ijustassumedthatitwasalrightbecausehehad

sucharegalandproudairabouthim,Ibelievedhimtohave

someconnectionwiththePresident.

ProsecutingAttorney:Thankyou,Ihavenofurtherquestions.

Judge:Doesthedefendanthaveanyquestionsforthewitness?

DefenseAttorney:Yes,YourHonor.

DefenseAttorney:Mr.Forbes,whenmyclientfirstapproached

you,didheappeartohaveastrangecontenounce?Asifthere

maybesomethingmentallyoffwithhim?
CharlesForbes:NowthatIthinkaboutit,Isupposehedid.He

hadthisstrangesmileplasteredonhisface,andhismovements

werejerkyandaggressive.

DefenceAttorney:Thankyou,YourHonor,Ihavenofurther

questions.

Judge:Thewitnessisexcused.Doestheprosecutionhaveany

otherwitnesses?

ProsecutionAttorney:Yes,YourHonor.Twomoretobeexact.I

callmynextwitness,HarryHawk.

CourtroomDeputy:Pleasestand.Raiseyourrighthand.Doyou

promisethatthetestimonyyouwillgivenowbeforethiscourt

shallbethetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth,

sohelpyouGod?

HarryHawk:Ido.

Clerk:Pleasestateyourfirstandlastnamefortherecord.

HarryHawk:HarryHawk.SpelledH-a-r-r-yH-a-w-k

ProsecutingAttorney:Mr.Hawk,dotellme,youareanactor

correct?

HarryHawk:Thatiscorrect.

ProsecutingAttorney:Andwherewereyouthenightofthe14th?

HarryHawk:IwasactingintheplayatFordsTheater.
ProsecutingAttorney:M
yAmericanCousinright?Wouldyoumind

tellingmewhathappened,fromyourperspectivethatnight?

HarryHawk:Ofcourse.Ihadjustfinishedrecitingthefunniest

linetotheaudience,whenthingsbegantospiraloutof

control.Itwasaroundtenp.m.,andtheplaywasgoing

accordingtoschedule.Suddenly,Iheardanoise.Iassumedit

wassomerandomnoisefromtheaudience,butunfortunatelyIwas

wrong.Itwasagunshot.Secondslater,amanjumpedontothe

stagefromthePresidentsBox.Atfirst,hewasntcloseenough

formetoseeduetothelightning.Butastheyneared,I

recognizedthefaceimmediatelyasJohnWilkesBooth.Icouldnt

comprehendwhatwashappening.BoothandIhadactedinaslew

ofplaystogether,andIcouldntimaginemyacquaintancein

suchasituationwherehewouldberunningtowardme,witha

bloodieddagger.Then,itclicked.Boothhadjustshotthe

Presidentthenattackedsomeone.Whenhenearedme,Ifledfor

mylife(39,43).

ProsecutingAttorney:AndyoudidntknowthatBoothwouldbeat

theplaythatevening?

HarryHawk:Correct.

ProsecutingAttorney:Ihavenomorequestions,thankyou.

Judge:Doesthedefensehaveanyquestions?
DefenseAttorney:Justone.

DefenseAttorney:Mr.Hawk,whenyousaidyoucouldntimagine

myclientinthatdisposition,wereyouimplyingthathewasnt

actinglikehisusualself?

HarryHawk:Mostdefinitely.

DefenseAttorney:Ihavenofurtherquestions.

Judge:Thewitnessmaybeseated.

Judge:Theprosecutionmaycallitslastwitness.

ProsecutingAttorney:IwouldliketocallRichardLeemantothe

stand.

CourtroomDeputy:Pleaseraiseyourrighthand.Doyouswearto

tellthetruthandnothingbutthetruth,sohelpyouGod?

RichardLeeman:Ido.

CourtroomDeputy:Youmaybeseated.

Clerk:Pleasestateandspellyournamefortherecords.

RichardLeeman:MynameisRichardLeeman,L-e-e-m-a-n.

ProsecutingAttorney:Mr.Leeman,whatisyourpartinthis

situation?

RichardLeeman:IdirectedtheorchestrathenightthePresident

wasshot.

ProsecutingAttorney:Howwereyouoriginallyexpectingyour

nighttoplayout?
RichardLeeman:Iwasexpectingtodirectmyorchestraforthe

play,thenheadtoarestauranttogetalate-nightmeal.

ProsecutingAttorney:AndImassumingyourplansdidntgothe

wayyouexpectedthemto?

RichardLeeman:Absolutelynot.

ProsecutingAttorney:Sowhatendeduphappeninginstead?

RichardLeeman:AfterHawkdeliveredthatlineofhis,Iwas

preparingforthenextmusiccue.Suddenly,IsawBooth,anactor

thatIhaveworkedwithbefore.Hewasrunningtowardsus,

slashingabloodydagger.Iwasfrozeninshock.WhenBooth

pushedpastme,Icouldfeelhishotbreathonmyneck(pg.45).I

didnttrytostophim,andneitherdidanyoneelseinthecast

ororchestra.Whatcouldwehavedone?ThelasttimeIsawhim

beforenowwashimslashingatus.Itismind-bogglingtothink

thatthemanthatIhadspentsometimewithonplaysand

gettingtoknowwouldturnaroundatslashaknifeatme.

ProsecutingAttorney:Andwhenyousayus,whoareyou

referringto?

RichardLeeman:Why,myorchestraofcourse.

ProsecutingAttorney:Ihavenofurtherquestions,YourHonor.

Judge:Doesthedefensewishtocross-examinethiswitness?

DefenseAttorney:No,YourHonor.
ProsecutingAttorney:YourHonor,theprosecutionrestsits

case.

Judge:(Underhisbreath)ThankgoodnessThewitnessmaybe

excused.

Judge:Defensecounsel,doyouwishtocallyourfirstwitness?

DefenseAttorney:YesYourHonor.Thedefensewouldliketocall

DavidHeroldtothestand.

CourtroomDeputy:Raiseyourrighthand.Doyousweartotell

thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth,sohelp

youGod?SayIdo.

DavidHerold:Ido.

Clerk:Pleasespellyourfirstandlastname.

DavidHerold:D-a-v-i-dH-e-r-o-l-d

DefenseAttorney:Pleasetellme,areyouaclosefriendofmy

clients?

DavidHerold:Ishouldthinkso.Wespent12daysontherun

togetherafterall.

DefenseAttorney:SothenyouareoneofBoothsconspirators?

DavidHerold:Technically,yes.

DefenseAttorney:Whatdoyoumeanbythat?

DavidHerold:Well,IdontreallythinkImguiltyofanything.

Inhonesty,Iwasjustalongfortheride.Afterall,Boothwas
theonewhokilledLincoln,PowellstabbedSeward,andIdid,

well,nothing!Ieventurnedmyselfin.

DefenseAttorney:ThatwasthepointIwasjustabouttogetto.

WhatwasBoothsreactiontoyouwantingtoturnyourselfin?

DavidHerold:WhenBoothandIgotcorneredinthatbarn,he

wouldntallowmetoleave.Hewasadamantinhisbeliefthatwe

couldeitherescapesomeotherway,ordielikemen.WhenI

realisedthesituationIwasin,Iunderstoodjusthowmentally

unstablemypartnerwas(pg.168).Ihadalwaysfiguredthat

somethingwasoff,butthiswasshockingtome.Inthe

beginning,itseemedasifwewerejusttwopeopleavengingthe

SouthandtheConfederacy.Butastimepassed,Boothsmental

instabilityandmentalissuesbecameblatantlyobvious.I

figuredthatifIturnedmyselfin,Icouldtalkmywayoutof

anyharshpunishments.ButBoothwasthecompleteopposite.

DefenseAttorney:Inwhatway?

DavidHerold:Hewashappierwiththeideaofburningalivein

thatbarnthenturninghimselfinandsurrendering.Somethingis

probablywrongifsomeonehasthatsortofmindset.Heneeds

help.Andthatscomingfromme.

DefenseAttorney:Thankyou,thatwillbeall.

Judge:Doestheprosecutionhaveanyquestionsforthewitness?
ProsecutingAttorney:No,YourHonor.

Judge:Verywell.Thewitnessmaystepdownfromthestand.

Judge:Wouldthedefenseliketocalltheirnextwitness?

DefenseAttorney:Yes,Icallmynextwitness,BostonCorbett.

Judge:Thiswasahostilewitnessstatement,correct?

DefenseAttorney:Yes,YourHonor.

Judge:Verywell.Youmayproceed.

CourtroomDeputy:Pleaseraiseyourrighthand.Doyoupromise

totellthetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth?

BostonCorbett:Ido.

Clerk:Pleasespellyourfirstandlastname.

BostonCorbett:B-o-s-t-o-nC-o-r-b-e-t-t.

DefenseAttorney:Whatisyourrelationshipwithmyclient,Mr.

Corbett?

BostonCorbett:Iwastheonewhoshothim.

DefenseAttorney:Andhowdidthiscomeabout?

BostonCorbett:WhenIwaswatchingBooththroughthecracksin

theplanks,Isawhimarmed.Ithoughthewaspreparingtoopen

fire,ashispositionsuggestedit.Inanattempttoprotect

myselfandthecavalry,Iaimedathimandshot(pg.173).

DefenseAttorney:Andthenwhathappened?
BostonCorbett:Heimmediatelycrumpledtohisknees.Menrushed

inthebarn,disarmedhim,andcarriedhimoutside.Itwasquite

bloody,andalmostallofusknewthathewasunlikelytomake

itoutalive.

DefenseAttorney:Didhesayanything?

BostonCorbett:Actually,hedid.Whenthemenhadliedhimdown

outside,weheardhimsaysomething.Itwasbarelyovera

whisper,soitwashardtohear,butIbelievehesaidsomething

abouthismother.TellMother,Idieformycountry.tobe

exact(pg.175).I-

ProsecutingAttorney:-Objection,YourHonor,hearsay.

Judge:Objectionoverruled.Thewitnessmayanswerthequestion.

BostonCorbett:AsIwassaying,Imaynotlikehim,andImay

beagainsthismorals,butIcouldtellhehonestlybelieved

thatkillingourlatePresidentwouldhelpaccomplishsomething.

DefenseAttorney:Ihavenofurtherquestions,YourHonor.

Judge:Wouldtheprosecutionliketocross-examinethiswitness?

ProsecutingAttorney:No,YourHonor.

DefenseAttorney:Thedefenserestsitscase.

Judge:Youmayproceedwiththeclosingarguments.

ProsecutingAttorney:Ladiesandgentlemenofthejury,thank

youforyourtimeandservice.YouheardyourselfthatJohn
WilkesBoothshotandkilledPresidentAbrahamLincoln,aswell

asattackingMajorRathbone,andmastermindingaconspiracy.

Manycantestifythatthedefendantcommittedalltheabove

crimes,andeventhedefendanthimselfhasadmittedto

committingsuchacts.Youhavealsoheardofhismotivesand

actionsafter-the-fact.Thedefendantwaswellawareofhis

actions,andknewtherepercussionstheywouldcause.Our

countryhassufferedagreatloss,andthismanshouldreapthe

consequencesofhisactions.Theprosecutionhasprovedbeyonda

reasonabledoubtthatJohnWilkesBoothisguiltyoffirst

degreemurder,assaultwithadeadlyweapon,andconspiracy.The

prosecutionpleadsforthedeathsentence.

DefenseAttorney:Ladiesandgentlemenofthejury,itisupto

youtodecidewhetherJohnWilkesBoothisguiltyofthecrimes

hehasbeenchargedwithtothefullextent.Youhaveheardof

hisreasoningbehindeveryoneofhisactions,andyouknowof

hisunsteadymentalstate.Surely,itsclearthatmyclient

wasntinhisrightmindwhentheseactionswerecommitted.

Afterall,evenasoldierloyaltotheUnioncanseeBoothwas

setinhisideasandbeliefs.Hemayhavecommittedserious

crimes,buthealsohasjustifiablereasonsbehindthem.This

includingthathewasquitedepressedatpreviousevents.And
afterall,dontcrazypeopledocrazythings?Thedefense

pleadsguiltywithminimalsentenceandafollowupina

psychiatrichospitalunit.

Judge:Ladiesandgentlemenofthejury,itisyour

responsibilitytodecidewhetherJohnWilkesBoothisguiltyof

hischargedcrimeswithoutgoodreason.IfBoothisfound

guilty,hemaybesentencedtodeath.Iffoundinnocent,hewill

havea12yearsentence,alongwithalifelongpositionina

mentalhospital.

Judge:Weshallawaitthedecisionofthejury.

Judge:Willthejuryforepersonpleasestand?Hasthejury

reachedaunanimousverdict?

Foreperson:Yes.

Clerk:Thejuryfindsthedefendantguilty.Thisdecisionisdue

totherebeingfarmoreevidenceandwitnessesthatpoint

towardsBoothsguiltandlittlejustificationregardingwhyhe

madethem.AnddespiteJohnWilkesBoothspossiblyunstable

frameofmind,hestillmadeaconsciousdecisiontocommitsaid

crimes.

Judge:BeforewehearthesentenceofJohnWilkesBooth,letus

hearavictimwitnessstatementfromMaryToddLincoln,thewife

ofthelatePresidentAbrahamLincoln.
MaryToddLincoln:Myhusband,AbrahamLincoln,andIwere

incrediblyclose.Hewasmyeverything.Idideverythinginmy

powertosupporthimthroughouthispresidency.Istillremember

thedayhewasshotandkilledlikeitwasyesterday.Ourson

Robert,whoisajuniorofGeneralGrantsstaff,washomefrom

thewar(pg.13).Weatebreakfasttogetherandplannedourday.

Iwasthrilledtogettospendsomeprivatetimewithmyhusband

seeingaplayatFordsTheater.Myhusbandwasinjustashigh

spirits(pg.13).Hehadbeenmorecheerfulthanatanyother

timeduringhispresidency(pg.28).Ihadbeenemotionallyupset

fromoursonsdeath,andLincolnwascaringenoughtositnext

tomeonthewaytoFords(pg.29).Wetalkedaboutourdreams

forthefuture,andwhatwewoulddoafterAbrahamssecond

term(pg.30).Whenmyhusbandwasshot,Iwasinshock.Justa

fewhoursago,wehadbeentalkingofthefuture.Andsuddenly,

hewasgone.Ikeptthinkingtomyself,Howcouldthishave

happened?Ihaveneverbeenthesame.Myhusbandwasmyrock,

andwithouthimhereanymore,Icannolongerdothingsas

simpleaspassthenightwithoutnightmares.Myhusbands

funeralwassimple,buthewouldnthaveminded,ashewasaman

ofsimpletastes(pg.105).ButmyfamilyandIwerenttheonly

peopleaffectedgreatlybythedeathofalovinghusbandand
father,buttheentirecountrymournedhislossasapresident.

Withindaysofhisdeath,hislifewasbeingcomparedtoJesus

Christ.Lincolnwasportrayedtoaworshippingpublicasa

self-mademan,theliberatoroftheslaves,andthesaviorof

theUnionwhohadgivenhislifesothatotherscouldbe

free(millercent.org).Inmyheart,whileImisshim,Iknow

thathislifebenefittedandhelpedtheentirecountryand

anythinghetouched.Andnomatterhowmuchtimehaspassed

sincehisdeath,hewillforeverremainintheheartsofus

peoplethatwereblessedenoughtomeethim.

Judge:Weareterriblysorryforyourloss.Mayyourhusbandand

formerpresidentrestinpeace.

Judge:ThesentenceofJohnWilkesBoothisthatofdeath.

Judge:Furthercouncilonthedateofexecutionwillbe

discussedonalaterdate.

Judge:Thejuryisthankedandexcused.Courtadjourned.