1861Maryland state lawmaker John Merryman was arrested by Union troops and indicted for treason under suspension of writ of habeas corpus. His petition for writ was granted by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, but was disobeyed by Gen. George Cadwalader under orders from President Abraham Lincoln. While Merryman awaited a hearing, Taney had furniture and meals brought to his cell. Merryman would name one of his sons in the justice’s honor.1959The U. S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana state laws …