Trial and Execution

• The formal charges endorsed by Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Pena to Governor Blanco against Jose Rizal
• Rizal's charge is Complex crime of rebellion and formation of illegal organization on December 9, 1896
• On December 11, 1896 during arraignment, Rizal pleaded no guilty on the charges via his lawyer Luis Taviel de Andrade.
• Rizal’s court martial trial started on December 19, 1896 with the reading of charges and eventual presentation of evidence by the prosecutor Enrique de Alcocer with a prayer of death sentenced against the accused.
• Luis Taviel de Andrade presented the argument for Rizal.
• Polavieja promulgated a decree approving the court decision sentencing Rizal a penalty firing squad on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan at seven o’clock in the morning
• Rizal was able to write letters to friends and relatives and the poem, My Last Farewell.
• On December 30, 1896, Rizal took his breakfast 5:30 in the morning and came out with additional two letters for his family and brother Paciano.
• Rizal death march commenced at 6:30 in the morning.
• He wore a black suit and vest with a black hat.
• Luis Taviel de Andrade, Father March and Father Villaclara were behind him during the march,
• Rizal bid final goodbye to Luis Taviel, the priests and to Josephine.
• The shout of the commander “Fuego” signaled the firing of guns. Right after Rizal fell to the ground, the military band played the Spain’s national hymn.