Evidence Against Mary Surratt

The most damning evidence against Mary Surratt came from Surrattsville tavern keeper John Lloyd (Linder, 2002). According to Linder, Lloyd told the Military Commission that about a month before the assassination he was visited and asked by three other conspirators to conceal two carbines, ammunition, about twenty feet of rope, and a monkey-wrench. Mary Surratt suggested hiding them under joists in a second-floor room. Lloyd testified that three days before the assassination, Mary Surratt told him that “the shooting irons” left at his home by the conspirators weeks ago would be needed soon. On the day of the assassination, according to Lender (2002), Mrs. Surratt once again brought up the subject. When Lloyd got home one day, he found Mrs. Surratt there. She told him to have those supplies ready that night since there would be people coming to get them. A man arrived, Lloyd did what he was supposed to do and got the stuff Mary Surratt referred to without any hesitation. Mrs. Surratt only told him to give Herold carbines, whisky, and field-glass, and did not give them the rope and monkey-wrench. As they were about the leave, Harold said to Lloyd that he will tell him some news of he wanted to hear it. Lloyd replied saying he could tell him at his own pleasure and …show more content…
Sound reason, along with common sense, suggests that an argument on Surratt’s behalf in which she denies any prior knowledge of the plans to execute Lincoln are also invalid. Relationships of this kind, because of their low key nature or secrecy, would often lead to discussions other than simply the cake being served or the coffee being sipped. Pillow talk is often as revealing as the act that precludes it and as a prosecutor trying a case, it would not be difficult to persuade a jury that Surratt and her lover must have had discussions about his political and personal thoughts on