Surnames: Dudley, Parrot, Richardson, Rossman

----Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) Thursday, April 23, 1936

Sheriff Held On Charge of Manslaughter

Neillsville, Wis. - As witnesses at a John Doe inquest were prepared to testify today, Sheriff Hal H. Richarson, of Clark County, was arrested on a charge of manslaughter for the death last week of an unidentified transient, who was struck and hurled into a ditch near Owen by a passing car. After Richardson was arraigned and posted bond of $1,000, the inquest was conducted.

The man’s body was found in a ditch off highway 29, a half mile from Owen village limits, near the spot where the sheriff’s automobile overturned last Thursday night.

Ray Parrot, Richardson’s companion, on the fatal ride was the major witness at the inquest. He related details of the day, saying he met Richardson in the afternoon, that they went to Marshfield, and that they were on their way back when the accident occurred. Neither of the men was hurt when the car overturned in the ditch, and were able to drive on after passing motorists had helped them right the machine.

Richardson, called as a witness, appeared with an attorney and refused to testify on advice of counsel.

The coroner’s jury, after hearing the testimony, returned a verdict that the transient met death as a result of being stuck by a car driven by Sheriff Hall Richardson.

Richardson was arraigned before Circuit court commissioner A. E. Dudley. Bail was set at $1000. The sheriff’s preliminary hearing was adjourned for 30 days.

Fred Rossman, Neillsville chief of police, swore out the complaint on which the manslaughter warrant was issued.