John Doherty John Doherty was in his home office when an assassin shot and killed him by firing through a window. For some time, the case was cold with no suspects...

John Doherty was the former sheriff of Mora County, New Mexico.  On December 9, 1893, he was in his home office when an assassin shot and killed him by firing through a window. For some time, the case was cold with no suspects.

But by October 1894, there was a surprising twist.  The current sheriff, Agapito Abeytia, had been running an outfit associated with the Vincente Silva Gang.  They had killed Doherty, fearing that he was collecting evidence against the group. Abeytia and others were convicted in the killing. Doherty’s brother Joe became the new sheriff.