Case library · Trial of the Century
The Island Gathering Treason Case
United States v. Burr (1807)
Charge: Treason (levying war against the United States)Court: U.S. Circuit Court, District of VirginiaState: VirginiaDocket: Trial of the Century
The facts
A man was charged with treason for making war against the nation. The charge rested on armed men who gathered on a river island, said to be part of his plan. He was not on the island when they gathered. Treason here means actually making war, proved by an open act. Prosecutors say anyone in the plot is guilty wherever he was. The defence says he was elsewhere, doing other things, and took no part in the gathering charged.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: United States v. Burr, 25 F. Cas. 55 (C.C.D. Va. 1807) (No. 14,693)
Read more at law.resource.org. The source reveals the outcome.