100 years ago in Sandpoint: Dennis O’Leary on trial for murder

From our archives, 100 years ago

Sandpoint residents crowded into the courtroom on the first day of Dennis O’Leary’s sensational murder trial.

O’Leary was accused of emptying his pistol into O.G. Hossler — who happened to be occupying O’Leary’s bed at the time.

On that fateful day, O’Leary had apparently made a surprise return home from Wallace, where he had been working. When he arrived in the house, he found his wife downstairs starting the fire. Mrs. O’Leary attempted to block his passage up to their bedroom.

O’Leary brushed her aside and stormed up to the bedroom, where he shined his flashlight on Hossler. O’Leary later claimed he saw Hossler reach under the pillow for a gun. O’Leary immediately emptied his .32 automatic into Hossler, killing him instantly. O’Leary then telephoned a doctor and a sheriff and told him what he had done.

“Much interest is manifest in the case and the courtroom is crowded,” said a correspondent. Mrs. O’Leary was present in the courtroom, wearing black and seated next to the prosecuting attorney.

The trial was set to continue in the coming week.