In the summer of 2001, on the occasion of the anniversary of Hiroshima, History News Network staged a mock trial of Harry Truman. The charge: that he violated the Nuremberg standards regarding the lawful conduct of war.

Philip Nobile served as chief prosecutor, Ronald Radosh as chief defense counsel. In advance of publication, each writer was given the chance to review each other's statements.

Afterwards, the statements were submitted to a jury composed of leading scholars. Following the online publication of this"virtual" trial, readers were invited to submit their comments. These were collected and published. 

I accuse President Harry S Truman of war crimes under Article 6 of the Nuremberg Charter outlawing"the wanton destruction of cities, towns, and villages, or devastation not justified by military necessity."

Specifically, I accuse President Truman of ordering the annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki via an experimental terror weapon resulting in the massacre and maiming of some 200,000 Japanese women, children and old people.

Philip Nobile, August 2001

 

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THE TRIAL

OPENING ARGUMENTS: PROSECUTION Philip Nobile   DEFENSE Ronald Rados

CLOSING ARGUMENTS: PROSECUTION Philip Nobile DEFENSE Ronald Radosh

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PHILIP NOBILE RESPONDS TO THE JURY

JURY VERDICT:

GUILTY J. Dresner Brian M. Jones UNDECIDED Arnold A. Offner

NOT GUILTY R. John Pritchard Richard Jensen Oscar B. Chamberlain Robert James Maddox James R. Van de Velde Larry Schweikart Jeff Tenuth

Related Links

Readers' Response to the Truman Trial