Killing of Dr. R. H. Aldrich
On the evening of November 6, 1906, in
Baton Rouge, George K. Favrot fatally shot Dr. Robert H. Aldrich, who had been a "lifelong friend". Dr. Aldrich had purportedly slandered Favrot's wife at a party to celebrate Favrot's election to Congress. Favrot ambushed his quarry as the doctor was entering the lobby of the Raymond Building, where Dr. Aldrich maintained his offices. Favrot fired three shots, killing Dr. Aldrich. Favrot turned himself in to his friends Deputy Sheriff Milligan and his running-mate and current District Attorney Hubert Wax. Favrot was placed in jail for five months while two separate Grand Juries debated the charges against him, however, he was released after both Grand Juries refused to indict. He was being represented by his friend and fellow Judge Thomas J. Kernan. His defense was purported to be based on an ‘unwritten law’ about the slandering of one's wife and had been presented by his lawyer at the last annual meeting of the American Bar Association, who argued in favor of recognition of this ‘principle’. While Favrot served five months in jail awaiting the Grand Jury's determination, Congress kept his seat open. ==References==