The man who "won" the duel was now in legal trouble for dueling. The loser was in the hospital in critical condition, so one might assume his troubles were more severe.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, February 28, 1968:
Hearing Set For Alleged โDuelistโ
Hugh L. Moose, the winner of Sunday morningโs gun duel, was arraigned yesterday in Justice Court 4 on charges of attempted murder and dueling. His preliminary hearing on the two felony counts was set for March 22 by Justice off the Peace Joe Jacobson.
The loser, Kenneth Lee Darris, 28, of 3232 W. Tres Nogales Hwy., remained in critical condition last night at St. Maryโs Hospital with a stomach wound.
The 39-year-old Moose, of Rt. 1, Box 830 is free on $2,000 bond.
According to Pima County Sheriff Walden V. Burr, the rifle vs. pistol duel was triggered by an argument over Mooseโs wife, Edith.
The last โaffair of honorโ in southern Arizona occurred on Sept. 23, 1893, when Col. G. M. Russell and Luther Kaltenback shot it out on the streets of Gila Bend.
Kaltenbackโs six gun beat Russelโs Winchester and the latter was shot in both hands and in the ear. Russell later was arrested on a charge of assault with intent to commit murder.
โBoth men shot to kill and only poor marksmanship saved their lives,โ said the Star account.
One must wonder if the other man was not also to be accused of dueling, assuming he would survive his injuries.
The preliminary hearing for Moose was marked by an admission of eavesdropping, not by Moose, but by a sheriff's deputy.
From the Star, Friday, April 26, 1968:
Justice Ired By Electronic Eavesdropping
โThe practice of electronic eavesdropping is abhorrent to this court,โ Justice Joe Jacobson said yesterday after a deputy sheriff testified he had attempted to monitor an interrogation at the Sheriffโs Office through the interoffice communication system.
Deputy Jack R. Bedwell gave the testimony during the preliminary hearing of Hugh L. Moose, 39, who is accused of attempted murder and dueling following an alleged shoot out with Kenneth Lee Darris, 28, on Feb. 24.
Darris was reported in satisfactory condition yesterday following his re-admission to St. Maryโs Hospital this week for additional treatment of a stomach wound which he received in the alleged duel.
Testimony was also given by Highway Patrolman C. T. Benson who escorted Moose and the wounded Darris to the hospital after he stopped Moose at Interstate 10 and Congress St.
Two revolvers and a rifle were later found in the Darris car which Moose had been driving, according to Benson and Bedwell.
Apparently the eavesdropping wouldn't let Moose off the hook any more than his opponent's survival would.
