Which famous American was tried for treason today?
May 22, 1807 – Aaron Burr, the 3rd vice president of the United States, was tried today for treason.
The former New York State senator is perhaps best known for killing fellow founding father Alexander Hamilton in a duel three years earlier. He was never tried.
The treason trial opened in Richmond, VA, and was marked by President Thomas Jefferson’s urging the jury to reach a guilty verdict.
Four months later, despite Jefferson’s strong opinion of the case, the jury ruled: “Aaron Burr is not proved to be guilty under this indictment by any evidence submitted to us. We therefore find him not guilty.”
Although Burr was acquitted, he lost his footing in American politics and never again played a notable role in the development of the country.
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Words of Wisdom
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