Descendants of doctor convicted of aiding Lincoln assassin vow to keep fighting

WTVM ^ | AP

[stainlessbanner]

The family of the doctor convicted of aiding Abraham Lincoln's assassin has suffered a legal setback in their bid to clear their ancestor's name.

Yesterday, a federal appeals court in Washington dismissed their case on behalf of Doctor Samuel Mudd. The court said the law the family cited in their effort to have Mudd's conviction overturned only covers people with military records. Mudd was never a soldier.

A military tribunal sentenced Mudd to life in prison for setting the broken leg of fleeing assassin John Wilkes Booth, though Mudd claimed he knew nothing of the assassination or any plot. He was pardoned after four years for helping battle an outbreak of yellow fever.

Mudd great-granddaughter Mary Mudd McHale say her family will explore other options.

[Illbay]

Hope they can clear the guy. "Hippocratic Oath" and all that.

[evolved_rage]

I had an ancetor hung for piracy. HE WAS FRAMED!!!! I better start the appeal.

[JCG]

First you're born with a name like Mudd. Then a wild-eyed wacko with a broken leg shows up.

America's Fifth Column ... watch Steve Emerson/PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

[sourcery]

I guess it's not surprising that "Mudd" couldn't be "cleared." :-)