Billy the Kid Faces The Law... Again 274
Jason Raddin writes "MSNBC.com has an interesting story about a new showdown in the Old West. It seems as if Billy the Kid can still cause problems for the law-men of New Mexico, even as he rests in his grave. Several small New Mexico towns claim to possess the "true" grave of Billy the Kid (a.k.a. William H. Bonney, Henry McCarty, Kid Antrim). Two sheriffs in Capitan, New Mexico have proposed that this mystery be solved using modern DNA testing. The proposal was made in June to exhume the remains of Bonney's mother and the two reported graves of Bonney. This has spurred a hot legal debate raising an interesting question: which is more important, tourist dollars or the truth?"
What about... (Score:5, Interesting)
Who owns those plots of land? Do dead bodies automatically become the property of the state?
Possible problem with the truth... (Score:5, Interesting)
I think Shakespeare said it best... (Score:2, Interesting)
Not only could it tell who was the right Billy: (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:How about respect? (Score:3, Interesting)
This probably isn't a smart thing to post as it isn't popular. Oh well doesn't make it wrong.
Theres (Score:2, Interesting)
there is a simple way to solve this exact problem [loc.gov]
Obligatory Simpsons quote... (Score:3, Interesting)
Homer Jay Simpson: Dig him up! Dig up that corpse! If you really love Jebediah Springfield, you'll haul his bones out of the ground to prove my daughter wrong! Dig up his grave! Pull out his tongue!
Mayor 'Diamond' Joe Quimby: Can't we have one meeting that doesn't end with us digging up a corpse?
Besides, what happens when neither corpse is the Kid? I mean, anyone who has seen the Simpsons Halloween special knows he's buried in Springfield, just waiting for all of us to throw away our guns! :-)
Re:New Mexico...for tourism? (Score:4, Interesting)
I certainly agree that this might be getting a little too much attention. However, I think it might be taking it a little far to think that Silver City is trying to rationalize its existence on the fact that Billy the Kid's mom is buried here. In fact, aside from post cards, I've never really seen any Billy the Kid merchandise. Maybe I should go into business.
all they have to do: (Score:2, Interesting)