Thank you for that. If Virgil did make the “on sight” comment, all of the following would have to be true:
1 Behan managed to forget the most volatile comment of the day. Either that, or he purposely ignored it, which seems ridiculous.
2 Ben Goodrich and his dream team of attorneys would have had to have either missed it or decided they did not want to include the statement that would have best made their case.
3 Ike Clanton would have had to have been so bubble-headed and confused that he did not point it out to the lawyers that he hired to prosecute the case. That applies to smarter allies, such as Ringo, as well.
4 All the cowboy sympathizers in town would have had to missed this critical point and failed to relay it to to the Dream Team.
5 The editors and writers at the Nugget would have messed up and not pounded the point in subsequent editorials.
In evaluating this, it seems far more likely that Goodrich’s Dream Team investigated the comment and found it untrue. If Behan could not back it up, then it could not be used. Apparently, there were others big-nosing in on the conversation as well, and none of them were called to substantiate it.
One other quick point: When Virgil Earp says “let them make the fight,” I take it as giving the rustling brothers the option to determine their own future. They decide whether to fight or flee.
Bob, Spicer should have considered only the evidence introduced during the preliminary hearing through witness testimony or otherwise admitted into evidence during the hearing. There is no indication... more
Kill them on sight — Casey Tefertiller,Tue Nov 15 2022 4:20
Casey Let's take a look at one example of their work as an example of their "dream team" ability. Albert Billicke testifying about Tom acquiring a gun from a butcher rather than a gun store or the... more
Casey, You're trying to rationalize what was said in the conversation prior to the gunfight with what occurred (or did not occur) during the preliminary hearing to reach the position you favor - that... more
Steve, Thanks for those interesting thoughts. Yes, I guess that Fellehy could have been terrorized by the Earps, or he could have been running away from seagulls with Tippi Hedron. Anything is... more
...why you think the Nugget should have made a major issue out of the 'kill them on sight" comment. The Nugget missed making an issue over quite a few comments in testimony that were just as serious. They... more
Your first reflection about Behan is interesting, but I think there is more to it. I don't recognize Virgil's comment as more volatile than one or two of his others that day, but certainly it gives us... more
I seem to remember reading somewhere that Virgil had to be awakened multiple times that morning, including by one of his Deputy’s about Ike’s loud, public, heeled and aggressive behavior. Also remember... more
...I think loud, aggressive behaviour is a slight exaggeration, don't you? Ike was in a couple of Saloons, but so was every other man in town who was awake. There was no other place to go. Ike spoke... more
Well, I don't know if officer Bronk exaggerated Ike's behaviour or not, but according to Virgil, Bronk seemed a little pre-occupied before he informed Virgil that he was at death's door. This while Bronk... more
Well, BJ, as you may have noticed by now, I not only have a suspicious nature but am inclined to read every few lines with an "...wait a minute. something doesn't sound right here!..." attitude. It slows... more
Joyce, I’m trying to understand your train of thought so I appreciate your patience per my limited education level and cognitive deficits. I also remember reading that other citizens were very concerned... more