The State vs. the Dead Body of Jasper Deal

Deal was very drunk ... had the reputation of being a desperate man

Date: 
January 18, 1880

Deceased

Jasper Deal
Sex: 
Male
Race: 
White
COD Category: 
Homicide
COD: 
Firearm
COD Method/Implement: 
pistol
COD Inquest Finding: 

upon their oaths do say that . . .the said Jasper Deal came to his death from the effect of a pistol shot wound in the hands of Henry Townsend. The ball entering the head just below the left eyebrow and passing directly through the brain to the back of the head.

Coroner

Coroner: 
William Bayne
Coroner Title: 
coroner

Location

Inquest Location: 
at Greenville
County: 
Greenville County, SC

Source

South Carolina Department of Archives & History
Columbia, SC

Perpetrator

Perpetrator: 
Henry Townsend
Inquest Images: 
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Transcription: 

Mattie Henderson sworn says?Heard Deal say to Townsend he heard he was a shooting man but he didn't fear him or his pistol either. Deal wanted to go into the next room. Townsend was sitting against the door it was shut. Then Deal picked up the shovel. Townsend told him he did not want a row with him ... in about 3 minutes I heard the pistol fire Deal had the shovel and started to draw it on Townsend and I caught it. I could not take it from him. I heard Townsend tell Deal if he moved he would shoot him & I went out. Townsend said he did not want to have any fuss with him Deal said he did not care a God damn.

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