You and anyone else are entitled to an opinion. You should, however, condition that opinion by admitting the history. In 1935 in New Jersey what Trenchard did was not illegal or considered unfair. It was not illegal or unfair before Ernesto Miranda's case went to the US Supreme Court to not advise an arrested person rights before using any statements against that person in court. You are entitled to your opinion, but you should concede the historical aspects of any judicial decision.

The New Jersey court was asked to give Hauptmann a new trial because Trenchard's instructions to the jury were "unfair" and thereby illegal. It was, therefore, considered in Hauptmann's appeal. The court, in denying that claim, said "The whole charge shows signs of having been prepared with great care and without waste of words. It pointed out, and properly, features of the evidence which by the court were deemed important for their consideration in getting at the facts. He indicated in some cases his individual view, but in no case was that view so placed before the jury as to require them to consider themselves controlled by it. On the contrary, the court was careful at all times to reserve to them the ultimate decision on matters of fact." Trenchard went on to instruct the jury that they were not bound by any of his comments and that they were to decide the case on their own.

Before 1879 defendants in federal trials were not allowed to testify themselves because they were not considered to be credible witnesses. Was that legal? Yes. Did it change later? Yes. But now to go back and say that before 1879 a defendant denied the right to testify in his own trial before in federal court was treated illegally is historically wrong.

You are entitled in 2017 to say that Hauptmann was treated unfairly in your opinion. You are not entitled in 2017 to say Hauptmann should have received a new trial in 1936 because of Trenchard's comments if you are saying it was illegal or unfair in 1935.

One definition of "forum" is "an opportunity for open discussion". If this is not an "open forum", the readers should be cautioned accordingly. Perhaps a cautionary note that "this forum will not entertain any ideas except those that Hauptmann was innocent or, at least, treated illegally and unfairly." Perhaps then readers or participants would know that they would have to look elsewhere for the whole story.