[central_va]

But the government botched the case and eventually dropped the charges,

Botched? On purpose maybe. To put Davis on trial would mean putting the legality of secession on trial. Since secession in not unconstitutional and congress has passed no laws against it, Davis would have won. Couldn't have that...

[Fiji Hill]

To put Davis on trial would mean putting the legality of secession on trial. Since secession in not unconstitutional and congress has passed no laws against it, Davis would have won. Couldn't have that...

Indeed. That's probably why Davis was so eager to get the trial underway.