Anyone watching No One Saw a Thing on Sundance?

[loknload]

No One Saw a Thing is a documentary story about a Vigilante killing in Skidmore Missouri in the early 80’s
This murder made international notoriety and no one was ever charged with the murder of the town bully.
Totally interesting story and one that I didn’t remember.
If seems the Justice system left this town down and the townsfolk took matters in their own hands.
It’s playing Thursday nights at 11pm so I have my DVR set and this is a 6 part series.
It’s using a lot of original 60 Minutes footage.

 

[Doug627]

I remember when this happened. The people surrounded his truck and one of them shot him. They dispersed and no one claimed to have seen a thing.

 

[Mule Packer]

Interesting story to say the least.

A highway patrolman from Skidmore had his wife threatened by the bully, Ken McElroy, with a shotgun. The highway patrolman later stated in 2010, "They did what they did because we didn't do our job."

Dang. Doesn't say much for the justice system in that area. Of course, the courts had a tough time prosecuting the bozo because he would threaten the witnesses and they would withdraw their complaints, or his attorney would get the court date postponed, then McElroy would threaten the plaintiff and the case would be dropped.

From what I've read, Skidmore doesn't seem to have improved much as an ideal residential area over the years.

 

[steveno]

it looks like Skidmore has a dark history. I suspect there is a lot of dark secrets in the town.

Skidmore, Missouri - Wikipedia

 

[Muss Muggins]

Brian Dennehy played Ken Rex McElroy in the made for television movie, titled "In Broad Daylight."

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Brian Dennehy played Ken Rex McElroy in the made for television movie, titled "In Broad Daylight."

Brian Dennehy played an excellent part as the bully McElroy.
I made reference to this case in a post here on the forum
several months ago. If I recall McElroy's wife or family brought
suit against someone or the town. I don't know what came
of the lawsuit.

 

[Mule Packer]

If I recall McElroy's wife or family brought suit against someone or the town. I don't know what came of the lawsuit.

You are correct. McElroy's wife, Trena, brought a six million dollar lawsuit against the mayor, the sheriff, and the man she thought allegedly killed her husband. They settled out of court for a little over $17,000. I think each man kicked in some money. I'm not sure if any of the other town folks contributed, but I wouldn't be surprised. After all, there were 46 witnesses to the shooting, and none of them claimed to have seen anything.

Trena, if you ask me, had to be a couple of fries short of a Happy Meal to begin with. She originally hooked up with McElroy when she was only twelve years old and he was 37. He got her pregnant, divorced his current wife, and married Trena when she was 14 so they wouldn't arrest him for statutory rape. Then Trena, McElroy, and his recently divorced ex-wife all moved in together.

Sounds like there were a good number of people in that town who were a half bubble off plumb. I'd have the water tested.

 

[muddocktor]

I don't think I will move there after I retire, for sure! They got some bad goins on around there.

 

[loknload]

Quite an interesting story! Never knew they made a movie about this.
According to this documentary the town literally died after this. It’s amazing what some of the people current have to say about this.
Scenes back then show a population of a little over 400, current is about 235 I believe.