Mudd received a gift of bottles of booze from Booth months before the murder. An odd thing to do for a person one hadn't met!
Can you tell me where you heard this? As I am becoming a docent (aka tour guide) at the Samuel Mudd house, I have been reading up on him and doing some research. And the more that I read, the more that I think he was completely innocent. The evidence doesn't hold water.
Both Mudd and his wife both assert that the first time that they met Booth was when he was touring Charles County in November of 1864. They were introduced at St. Mary's Church by their friend John Thompson of Baltimore (a hotbed of secession and home to J. Wilkes Booth). He was most likely planning out a route to take the president south when he and his cohorts kidnapped him (a plan which did not materialize). Booth did stay the night, and then left. Mudd did admit this, though reluctantly, for fear it would make him look guilty. And the fear was jusitfied, as their was a witch hunt going on. They wanted some person/s to blame.
When Booth showed up on April 15th, he was in disguise. Now, if you are coming to the house of a man in on a conspiracy, whom you see as a compatriot, would you disguise yourself? Now, I can see doing such to avoid recognition by others, but, it is early in the morning, it is dark, and there is likely to be nobody on the road at this hour. Now, knowing that Mudd is a doctor, why not go to him and ask for help? If he is a part of the plot, he knows who you are, no need to hide it. But Booth continually tried to hide his face and he disguised himself. I say that says a lot right there. He barely knew Mudd, and probably didn't trust him; not the way you would act to a friend.
Mudd also reported his suspicions at church after Booth left. Now some might say this is a bit strange in itself, but one must realize that there are extenuating circumstances. Mudd has heard of the assassination and knows that the perpetrators are on the loose. He thinks that the men who stopped at his house, Tyson and Tyler, might be them, and it being late, they may return to tie up any loose ends. So at church, he tells his brother, who tells the detectives, and they come to ask questions. They find the boot later, see it is Booths, and they eventually arrest Mudd. For what? Doing his job and following the Hippocratic oath, which doctors are sworn to uphold.
Also, from what Booth said in his diary, we know that the assassination was quite spur of the moment and was not his original plan. He knew he could get close to the president, and Ford's theatre was the perfect opportunity. He had access and was known; he would not stand out as being strange or a threat.
I suggest you read
The Life of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd by his daughter Nettie, and listen to his side of the story. I think many write him off. His letters do not sound like those of a guilty man. He bears his punishment, though he is tormented by the separation from his family. And if you are in the Maryland, Virginia area, come by the Mudd house; its still standing and a museum open to the public. You can see the house as it was that morning when Booth showed up, and even see the couch he was examined on. Love to give you the tour someday!!