Lincoln’s Peachy Defense

 What can we learn from the only known existing transcription of a Lincoln circuit court case that involved feuds, political foes, and a deadly stab wound … all while Lincoln was running for president? Read Guy Fraker’s article, “Lincoln’s Peach Defense,” in the August Illinois Bar Journal for a detailed breakdown of the case, whet led up to it, and how Lincoln maneuvered through a complicated trial that included dozens of witnesses, a hearing on deathbed testimony, and a reenactment of the alleged crime scene on the courtroom floor in which Lincoln and the prosecutor acted. In many ways, the trial had much in common with trial work today, including the need for civility among opposing counsel and trust in the judicial process.

 Read the July Illinois Bar Journal’s article, "Lincoln's Peachy Defense"