Posthumous trial
Appearance
A posthumous trial is a trial held after the defendant's death. Posthumous trials can be held for a variety of reasons, including the legal declaration that the defendant was the one who committed the crime or to provide justice for society of family members of the victims. Due to the heavy cost, they are usually held only under extraordinary circumstances.
Notable posthumous trials
- Cadaver Synod of Pope Formosus
- Pope Boniface VIII
- Francesco Maria Carafa, resulting in exoneration