Daniel A. Todd, aged 46, died on February 22, 1910, in Vernon, California. He was a night watchman and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. On the night of his death, Todd was found near a garbage dump with a bullet wound through his heart. The initial report suggested that Todd might have been accidentally shot while on his rounds. However, further investigation led to the arrest of E. S.
De Turk, a 21-year-old man, and his parents, who were detained as witnesses.
The incident occurred outside the home of the De Turk family, who had a contract for the city's garbage disposal. The circumstances surrounding Todd's death were unclear, with conflicting accounts about whether it was a cold-blooded murder or an accidental shooting. The investigation revealed that Todd had been called to the De Turk ranch, possibly due to his role as a Deputy Sheriff.
During the preliminary hearing, Edward S. Keyes, who was initially arrested for Todd's murder, was released after the charges were dismissed. The hearing was marked by emotional testimonies, particularly from Keyes' mother, Mrs. J. D. De Turk. She recounted the events leading up to the shooting, describing a quarrel and her attempts to prevent her son from leaving with a gun. Despite the tragic outcome, the court concluded that Todd's death was accidental, and Keyes was freed from the murder charge.
The case of Daniel A. Todd's death remains a poignant example of the complexities and challenges in determining the truth behind such incidents. The involvement of multiple parties and the emotional testimonies highlight the difficulties faced by law enforcement and the judicial system in resolving such cases.
