Cold Case

Investigating History's Mysteries<BR /><BR /><BR /><BR />The assassination of Sheriff Pat Garrett one of the most notorious lawmen of the American West remained one of the most puzzling and perplexing unsolved mysteries for more than a century. As a result of sophisticated forensic analysis of the historical crime scene as well as the discovery of new evidence the mystery has been solved.<BR /><BR />Most know Pat Garrett as the self-proclaimed slayer of the outlaw Billy the Kid on the night of July 14 1881 in Fort Sumner New Mexico. The event propelled Garrett into regional and national headlines and generated a momentum that led the lawman to consider seeking higher political offices.<BR /><BR />Garrett's plans were thwarted by his self-destructiveness however. In spite of his notoriety he was a bumbling lawman a debtor an alcoholic an adulterer and addicted to gambling. After being removed from his position as sheriff he retired to a ranch in Uvalde Texas only to be summoned back to New Mexico to investigate the disappearance of Colonel Albert Jennings Fountain. In this pursuit he failed once again.<BR /><BR />Garrett's downward spiral created a sense of desperation in the lawman and his continuing difficulties caused him to lose what few friends he had and generate numerous enemies. In time his enemies had had enough of him and decided he had to go.