The Emperor condemned him to death as a rebel, but stayed the execution because he did not want to take the time to capture Wittenberg, defended by John Frederick's wife Sybille of Cleves.
Keiser mõistis ta mässulisena surma, kuid viivitas hukkamisega, kuna ta ei soovinud võtta aega Wittenbergi vallutamiseks, mida kaitses Johann Friedrichi naine Kleve Sibylle.