Nov 8, 2013
The Candlestick Murder Charleston, South Carolina, News and Courier, November 2, 1958
Jack Dobbins, a 30-year-old Charleston chemical company executive was clubbed to death with a heavy brass candlestick, in his home Halloween night 1958.
Charleston Air Force Base, Airman 3rd Class John Joseph Mahon surrendered “upon having read of Dobbins’ death.” He was charged and held without bail. Facing the death penalty at trial, Mahon’s lawyers used a homosexual-panic defense. Despite the conflicting testimony, Mahon received a not guilty verdict after only eight minutes of jury deliberation.
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