Rockbridge County Courthouse

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Following cadet Thomas Blackburn's murder at the hands of law student Charles Christian, Christian was immediately apprehended while still covered in the blood of his victim. Despite the fact that there had been many a row between the two men, the violent nature of this crime still shocked the town. That said, it was no mystery what probably sparked this act of violence. Contrary to sheer violence of this crime it was born of love, or what passed for love in the eyes of Charles Christian. He had murdered Blackburn in a desperate attempt to procure a Mary Evelyn Anderson's affections. Regardless of his motives, he would face punishment for his crime.

The trial for Charles' crime was held at Rockbridge County Courthouse. This trial was already full of gossip and commentary, but it was made all the more prominent given the fact that two of the three families involved were both exceptionally important. Charles Christian's family was related to the Vermont Washingtons as well as former Maryland governor, Francis Thomas. Mary Evelyn Anderson was the daughter of a Washington College rector and was the niece of United States senator Thomas Hart Benton. Their powerful lineage set the stage for an especially tense trial. In the case of the Blackburns, Thomas Johnson Mitchie, a former commonwealth attorney in Virginia was hired to prosecute the case. In addition Commonwealth's Attorney Captain David Evans Moore served as lead counsel for the prosecution. Unfortunately they were up against steep resistance as Christian was given access to a powerful team of defense attorneys such as James Baldwin Dorman and even the advice of his fellow law students. After a long and arduous struggle between the prosecution and the defense an unforeseen event took place: three months since the original indictment on April 25, 1854 the jury was unable to reach a consensus and thus they were dismissed. In September of that year in another trial held in Liberty, Virginia the jury found Charles Christian not guilty.

As one would expect this turn of events supremely bothered the Blackburns, as it seemed their son would see no justice. The Burks were overjoyed that their fallen son was found innocent of this audacious crime. In either case the town was forever marred by these tragic events.