Podcast BGP - Sickles Gets Away With Murder! P1 (S2 E3)

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With Valentines Day near Licensed Battlefield Guides Eric and Jim wanted to share a special story of love with their Super Fans. Of course, that story is the infamous 1859 murder of Barton Key at the hands of Congressman Daniel Sickles over the illicit affair Key was having with Dan’s wife Teresa. Part One covers the background of Sickles before the murder, his relationship with Teresa, the affair with Key, and so much more!

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Previous Episodes, Season 2 --->
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
Previous Episodes, Season 1 ---> 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
 
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Temporary, in that he was insane until Key stopped breathing.... this whole discovery of the affair, right through the murder was only a few hours if I recall correctly.
As I recall, Keys returned home armed himself and then began hunting Key down which wasn’t a difficult task. I’ll have to revisit the affair. I find the events fascinating. As in all of Sickles’ exploits, you must study the event with a very open mind :smile:
 
I guess there are a few ways to view the insanity defense...

On one hand if you are armed and walk in on something that makes you insane with rage and you kill on the spot, you are right, there would be no premeditation....

In this case, he saw evidence of the affair, became enraged, armed himself, hunted Key down and killed him, so yes, premeditated, but perhaps, still insane, maybe.... if you believe the story exactly as written....

If only they had a Snickers bar back then.....
 
I guess there are a few ways to view the insanity defense...

On one hand if you are armed and walk in on something that makes you insane with rage and you kill on the spot, you are right, there would be no premeditation....

In this case, he saw evidence of the affair, became enraged, armed himself, hunted Key down and killed him, so yes, premeditated, but perhaps, still insane, maybe.... if you believe the story exactly as written....

If only they had a Snickers bar back then.....
:rofl:
 
I guess there are a few ways to view the insanity defense...

On one hand if you are armed and walk in on something that makes you insane with rage and you kill on the spot, you are right, there would be no premeditation....

In this case, he saw evidence of the affair, became enraged, armed himself, hunted Key down and killed him, so yes, premeditated, but perhaps, still insane, maybe.... if you believe the story exactly as written....

If only they had a Snickers bar back then.....
Perhaps our resident counselor would like to give his opinion on the matter. I know he’s studied it thoroughly. What say ye @Eric Wittenberg ?
 
I like the jury nullification argument, with Zenger and Andrew Hamilton and Philadelphia lawyers and all that. Jury nullification being kosher, but no one being allowed to tell the jury that is one of the strangest things in American jurisprudence. I suppose you just have to hope someone on the jury panel has "World Expert on Civil War Cavalry" listed as their profession!

I guess it paid to have good representation in the ante-bellum world. The case seems to meet the literal definition of manslaughter- a killing committed in the heat of passion soon after a sudden provocation.
 
I find it interesting that the public could forgive Sickles for murdering his wife's lover in cold blood but not for taking his wife back. That's why he ended up in the army. The affair ruined his political career, and he was looking for a new job.
 
I find it interesting that the public could forgive Sickles for murdering his wife's lover in cold blood but not for taking his wife back. That's why he ended up in the army. The affair ruined his political career, and he was looking for a new job.

Actually, that's not entirely true. He was a very successful lawyer in New York City, even after his acquittal.
 
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