Treason and Conspiracy, or Politics by Other Means?: The Treason Trial of Aaron Burr

Wednesday, November 09 2016

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP 425 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 at  5:30 pm

From 1801 to 1805, Aaron Burr was Vice President of the United States. Just two years later, in 1807, he was on trial for his life, charged with treason against the United States. Burr was accused of organizing a private army with the goal of separating the western states from the Union. His trial, presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall, involved issues including executive privilege, executive/judicial relations, and the constitutional definition of treason. Our program will feature a reenactment of highlights of the treason trial of Aaron Burr, followed by a panel discussion of the trial's relevance for today.

Program Materials:

-  CRS Report for Congress, Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege

-  In re Sealed Case, 121 F.3d 729 (D.C. Cir. 1997)

-  Tim Boothby, Great Misconception: Treason under US Law

-  Sandra Day O'Connor, The Changing Role of the Circuit Justice

-   Historical perspective on the trial [prepared by team member Edward Sponzilli]

-   Whatever become of … key people from the trial [prepared by team member Peter Girguis]

-   Biographies of cast members/program participants