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"Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer"

By Laura Knoy on Monday, April 3, 2006.

On April 14th, 1865, during the final days of the Civil War, legendary actor John Wilkes Booth, entered Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC and fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln Over the next twelve days, Booth, with a broken leg, was able to evade his captures, in what was to become the greatest manhunt in American History. Through letters, diaries and trial transcripts, Swanson is able to retell the story of this twelve day Manhunt, as Booth hid for days in pine thickets, made courageous dark-of-night river crossings and gained the help of Confederates until he was finally captured and killed on April 26th, 1865. "Manhunt" is a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue and betrayal. Laura's guest is author James L. Swanson.