Trial and Death of Jose Rizal

Trial and Death of Jose RizalTrial of RizalAn eloquent proof of Spanish injustice and misrule.A mistrialA civilian undergoing trial in a military court.He was pre-judged: he was considered guilty before the actual start of the trial.Court martialDecember 26, 1896 the court martial of Rizal happened in a military building called Cuartel de Espaa

There were seven members of the military court:Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona presidentCapt. Ricardo Muoz AriasCapt. Manuel RegueraCapt. Izquierdo OsorioCapt. Braulio Rodriguez NuezCapt. Manuel Diaz EscribanoCapt. Fermin Perez RodriguezAlso present in the proceeding were:Dr. Jose Rizal the accusedLt. Luis Taviel de Andrade Rizals defense counselCapt. Rafael Dominguez Judge AdvocateLt. Enrique de Alcocer Prosecuting AttorneyThe spectators:Josephine BrackenNewspapermenSpaniardsJose Rizal during the trialSat in between two soldiers with his hands tied behind, elbow to elbowDressed in black woolen suit with a white vest and black tieVery calm and dignifiedThe ProceedingsJudge Advocate Rafael Dominguez explained the case to RizalProsecuting Attorney Alcocer delivered a long speech summarizing the charges against Rizal and urged the court to give a verdict of death to the accusedHe was very well applauded by the Spanish spectatorsLuis Taviel de Andrade ended in his speech saying these words the judges cannot be vindictive; the judges can only be just.

Rizal was asked to defend himself so he read his defense which he wrote himself in his prison cell.12 Points of RizalHe could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could have escaped in Singapore.If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro vinta and would not have built a home, a hospital, and brought lands in Dapitan.

If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he not consulted by the revolutionists?It was true he wrote the by-laws of the La Liga Filipina, but this is only a civic association not a revolutionary society.The La Liga Filipina did not lived long, for after the first meeting he was banished in Dapitan and it died out.If the La Liga was reorganized nine months later, he did not know about it. The La Liga Filipina did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would have supplanted it with the Katipunan.If it were true that there were some bitter comments in his letters, it was because they were written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted, being dispossessed of houses, warehouses, lands. And his brother and brothers-in-law were deported.His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary priests could attest.It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house of Doroteo Ongjungco, as alleged by the witnesses whom he would like to confront. His friends knew his opposition to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who was unknown to him? Because those who knew him were aware that he would never sanction any violent movement.Despite of Rizals appeal, the military court remained prejudicedLt. Col. Togores Arjona considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared.

The military court unanimously voted for Death SentenceGovernor General Camilo PolaviejaSigned the execution letter two days after the trial.The Last Hours of Rizal December 29, 18966am Captain Rafael Dominguez read the sentence of RizalHe was designated by the Governor General to take charge of all arrangements for the execution of the condemned prisoner.7amHe was transferred to a prison chapelHe was visited by:Father Miguel Saderra Mata Rector of the Ateneo MunicipalFather Luiz Viza Jesuit teacher

7:15Statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus carved by Rizal using his pen knife during his school days in AteneoWas remembered by Rizal Fr. Viza brought the image and gave it to Rizal8amFr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve Fr. Viza; Rizal invited him for breakfast Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade came and was thank by Rizal for his services.9am Father Federico Faura visited RizalWas reminded by Rizal that he was the one who told the latter that someday he will lose his head for writing the NoliWas called a prophet by Rizal10am Rizal was visited by:Father Jose Vilaclara Rizals teacher at AteneoFather Vicente Balaguer Jesuit missionary in Dapitan who had befriended Rizal during his exile.Santiago Mataix a Spanish journalist who interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid.

12-3:30pmRizal was left alone and he finished his farewell poem, which was said to be found in an alcohol cooking stove (not a lamp) given to him by Paz Pardo de TaveraHe wrote to his best friend Ferdinand Blumentritt3:30 pmFather Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago to discussed about his retraction letter.4pm Doa Teodora arrived and Rizal knelt and kissed her hands, asking for forgivenessTrinidad followed to fetch her mother. She was the one whom Rizal gave the alcohol cooking stove, telling her in English there was something inside.Narcisa was given a wooden chairMaria visited Rizal but he did not gave her anythingMauricio favorite nephew of Rizal was given belt and watchAngelica his niece was given a handkerchief

Father Jose Vilaclara and Father Estanislao March entered the cell and was followed by another priest Father Rosell6pm Don Silvino Lopez Tuon the dean of the Manila Cathedral visited him8pmRizal ate his last supperInformed Captain Dominguez that he has forgiven his enemies, including the judges that condemned him to death.9:30pmDon Gaspar Cestao fiscal of the Royal Audencia of Manila.Was offered by Rizal the best chair in the cell10pmBernardino Nozaleda Rector of the University of Santo Tomas during Rizals timeAnti-Filipino who sent the retraction letter of RizalFather Balaguer submitted the letter to Rizal for his signatureFather Pio Pi Superior of the Jesuit Society in the Philippines made a shorter letter December 30, 18963amRizal heard mass, confessed his sins and took the Holy Communion5:30amHe took his last breakfast on earthWrote two letters:First addressed to his familySecond addressed to PacianoJosephine Bracken and Josefa arrivedImitation of Christ a religious book by Thomas Kempis was given to her with an autographed to my dear unhappy wife, Josephine.6amWhile the soldiers were getting ready for the death march, Rizal wrote his last letter addressed to his beloved parents.Rizals Death March6:30amSound of the Trumpet signaled the start of the Death MarchJose Rizal dressed in black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt and black tie.Together with Rizal were:Four soldiers armed with riflesLuis Taviel de AndradeFather Estanislao MarchFather Jose VilaclaraCrucifix was kissed by RizalDr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo a Spanish military physician who asked Rizals permission to check his pulse rateConsumatum Est the last words of Rizal7:03 he died due to firing squadPaco Park where Rizal was first buried.