President Andrew Johnson didn’t testify at his impeachment trial, and he got off. King Charles I of England didn’t answer the charges against him — and he lost his head. Over the centuries and in recent years, high-profile defendants, such as former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, have had to decide on whether to take the stand in their own defense. Last week Ryan, charged with racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, lying to the FBI and tax fraud, opted not to. Here’s what some other famous defendants decided, and the verdicts rendered.
They testified
1587: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS: Accused of treason, GUILTY
1793: QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE (FRANCE): Accused of treason, GUILTY
1973: EX-GOV. OTTO KERNER (ILLINOIS): Accused of bribery, perjury and conspiracy, GUILTY
1996: O.J. SIMPSON: Accused of killing ex-wife and her friend (civil trial), LIABLE
2005: EX-CEO BERNARD EBBERS (WORLDCOM), Accused of participating in $11-billion accounting fraud, GUILTY
They didn’t
1649: KING CHARLES I (ENGLAND), Accused of treason, GUILTY
1867: U.S. PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON, Impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, NOT GUILTY
1995: O.J. SIMPSON, Accused of killing ex-wife and her friend (criminal trial), NOT GUILTY
2004: MARTHA STEWART, Accused of lying about a personal stock sale, GUILTY
2005: EX-CEO RICHARD SCRUSHY (HEALTHSOUTH), Accused of participating in $2.7-billion accounting fraud, NOT GUILTY
