'Manhunt': How Dr Samuel Mudd became the mastermind behind Abraham Lincoln's assassination
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Manhunt’, an American television miniseries created by showrunner Monica Beletsky for Apple TV+, stars Tobias Menzies as Edwin Stanton, Anthony Boyle as John Wilkes Booth, Lovie Simone as Mary Simms, Matt Walsh as Dr. Samuel Mudd, and Hamish Linklater as Abraham Lincoln.
‘Manhunt’ revolves around Edwin Stanton, Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of War and close friend, who initiates an intense search for John Wilkes Booth after Lincoln's assassination, aiming to apprehend Booth before he can flee.
Matt Walsh plays the role of Dr. Samuel Mudd in 'Manhunt'
In ‘Manhunt’, Matt Walsh portrays Dr Samuel Mudd, the physician who treated John Wilkes Booth's broken leg after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
The series delves into the complexity of Mudd's character, examining his motivations and actions in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination.
Before taking on his role in ‘Manhunt’, Walsh had notable appearances in several popular productions. In ‘The Hangover’ and ‘Life of the Party’, Walsh was part of the ensemble cast, contributing to the comedic chaos of the film.
Inside the true story behind Dr. Samuel Mudd
Six hours after John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, Booth and his accomplice David Herold arrived at the home of Dr Samuel Mudd seeking medical treatment, as reported by Ford's Theatre.
Around 4:00 am, they sought refuge at Mudd's home, seeking treatment for Booth's broken leg, which he sustained while fleeing the scene of the assassination.
Mudd used his medical supplies to treat Booth's fractured leg and permitted both men to stay overnight in his residence.
Mudd's actions that night had lasting consequences. He was arrested and later tried as a conspirator in Lincoln's assassination. However, he told investigators that he did not recognize Booth.
Suspicions arose when Mudd's prior encounters with Booth and other conspirators came to light, as reported by Smithsonian Magazine.
What happened to Dr. Samuel Mudd?
During his trial for conspiracy, it was revealed that Mudd had met Booth on at least one occasion before the assassination. Additionally, his act of treating Booth's broken leg did not work in his favor in the eyes of the law.
According to a report by Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum, despite maintaining his innocence and arguing that he was simply providing medical aid to Booth as a doctor, Mudd was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for conspiring with Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
The evidence regarding Booth's prior interactions with Mudd strongly indicated that he had lied to investigators when he claimed not to have recognized Booth while treating his broken leg.
In 1869, President Andrew Johnson granted Mudd a pardon, partially in recognition of his efforts during a yellow fever epidemic at his military prison, Fort Jefferson in Florida, as reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
On January 10, 1883, he died of pneumonia at the age of 49.