Thanks to the musical---which I've never seen---most people now have a fair idea who Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were. But few know Burr was the first---and only---vice-president to be accused and tried for treason.
And they know Burr killed Hamilton in a duel. If only politicians were still allowed to duel today. Sigh!
But how many know---despite the fact they already strongly disliked each other---both served on the legal defense for New York City's "first sensational" murder trial?
I found it interesting the trial had to go into a third day. What were lawyers back then thinking? Didn't they get paid for their time? If so, why didn't they drag it out. But trials then were only expected to last one day, and not all of it either. On the first and second day the trail lasted until midnight and the jury had to sleep on the floor in a separate room. No jury had ever been sequestered before.
And they know Burr killed Hamilton in a duel. If only politicians were still allowed to duel today. Sigh!
But how many know---despite the fact they already strongly disliked each other---both served on the legal defense for New York City's "first sensational" murder trial?
I found it interesting the trial had to go into a third day. What were lawyers back then thinking? Didn't they get paid for their time? If so, why didn't they drag it out. But trials then were only expected to last one day, and not all of it either. On the first and second day the trail lasted until midnight and the jury had to sleep on the floor in a separate room. No jury had ever been sequestered before.
