Charles J. Guiteau's Execution for Garfield's Assassination
June 30th, 1882
June 30th, 1882
How Long Ago?
142 years, 8 months, 15 days ago
Location
Washington, D.C., USA
Category
Crime & Law
People
- Charles J. Guiteau
- James A. Garfield
- Robert Todd Lincoln
Links & References
- President of the United States
- Washington, D.C.
- Charles J. Guiteau
- James A. Garfield
- Assassination of James A. Garfield
Tags
Charles J. Guiteau's Execution for Garfield's Assassination
Charles J. Guiteau was executed in Washington, D.C. for the assassination of President James A. Garfield, who had been shot by Guiteau in July of the previous year. The assassination stemmed from Guiteau's delusional belief that he was entitled to a political position within the Garfield administration. His trial attracted national attention, culminating in a conviction for murder and sentencing to death. Guiteau’s public declarations and eccentric behavior garnered curiosity and outrage across the country as the execution date approached.
Guiteau shot Garfield in July 1881.
His trial raised questions about mental illness.
Guiteau believed his actions were divinely inspired.
Garfield died from infection after 11 weeks.
What Happened?
Charles J. Guiteau, a former office seeker and self-proclaimed political philosopher, shot President James A. Garfield on July 2, 1881, at the Washington, D.C. train station. Guiteau believed that his act would make him a national hero and secure him a post in the Garfield administration. After the president languished in pain for eleven weeks due to infections and complications from his injuries, Garfield eventually succumbed to his wounds on September 19, 1881. Guiteau was quickly apprehended and tried for murder, where he employed a defense of insanity, arguing that he was guided by divine inspiration to act as he did.
Guiteau's trial received immense public attention, and his behavior during the proceedings was erratic and theatrical, which further fueled public fascination. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. Leading up to his execution, Guiteau's statements and exploits sparked widespread media coverage and debate regarding mental illness, accountability, and the criminal justice system in America. Many viewed him as a deranged individual, while others discussed broader implications regarding the treatment of individuals with mental illnesses.
On June 30, 1882, Guiteau was hanged at the District of Columbia jail. Witnesses reported that he was calm, even chanting passages from the Bible as he approached the gallows. His death marked the end of a sensational trial that had captured the interest of the nation, while raising questions about the violent nature of politics at the time and calling attention to the need for mental health reform in the United States.
Why Does it Matter?
The execution of Charles J. Guiteau for the assassination of President Garfield highlighted the volatile interplay between personal ambition and political power in the late 19th century United States. It raised significant questions regarding the treatment of mental illness, the nature of political violence, and the legal defenses available to those committing acts deemed historically impactful. Guiteau became a symbol of the era's concerns about chaos in American political life and the consequences that followed from the intersection of personal delusions and political action.
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