What if Andrew Jackson, claimed by legend to have beaten his would-be assassin down with a cane, had beaten Lawrence to death instead of being restrained? How would this have effected his presidency if it even continues?
Bacs,
Don't assume your 21st Century mores will be at work in the 19th Century.
Jackson had fought dozens of duels and even killed one man in a duel before being elected President. That "murder" in our eyes was seen as nothing of the sort by Jackson's contemporaries, so Jackson killing a man who was trying to kill him would be seen as heroic if nothing else.
FWIW, Jackson was attacked twice during his Presidency. In the first, the attacker, a discharged naval officer, only tried to beat Jackson before being driven off by bystanders. Jackson refused to press charges and the matter was dropped. Imagine, if you can, that happening in 2009.
In the assassination attempt you refer to, Lawrence was not tried at all, but was declared insane and institutionalized. Again, try imagining that happening in 2009.
Bill