The Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy Trial and Its Legacy

Hatch, an editor, publisher, and historical writer, examines the Lincoln assassination conspiracy trial, whether the military had jurisdiction, and whether the rights of the accused were violated. He draws on material on the assassination, the investigation and arrest of the suspects, the people involved, and issues related to the suspension of liberty and justice, in addition to the Constitution and American history before and after the case to consider when and how military law has been a substitute for civilian law. He compares Lincoln's actions with other American leaders before and after his time, up to the controversy over the War on Terror and prisoners being tried by the military. He argues that the president is a civilian administrator and not a uniformed member of the armed forces and that military law is for the military and not for civilians in nonmilitary situations. He describes the assassination; the judges, jury, and eight men accused of the conspiracy; the controversy of trying the defendants before a military commission; the prosecution and defense; the role of John Minchin Lloyd; the guilty verdict; whether justice was served and whether the trial was legal; and the history and legacy of Laws of War. Annotation c2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Frederick Hatch is the editor and publisher of The Journal of the Lincoln Assassination and has written for American History, Lincoln Herald, Sea Classics, and Surratt Courier. He lives in Maryland.