In the late evening hours on Sunday, September 29, 1929, socialites Mr. and Mrs. John G. Bennett and their swanky neighbors and closest friends Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Hofman were engaged in a “friendly” game of partnership contract bridge in the Bennett’s posh Park Manor Apartment on Ward Parkway in the classy Country Club District of Kansas City. Soon, the world of these two couples would irreparably crash as would the stock market within the next thirty days on “Black Tuesday.” The Bennett’s were ahead on points and assured of victory until Mr. Bennett misread he game and played the wrong hand — a bid of four spades, doubled, and lost by two tricks. His wife, an expert bridge player, promptly decreed that her husband was nothing more than a “bum bridge player.” With those words, John G. Bennett erupted into rage, slapping his wife several times. The end was climatic — four shots rang-out; two striking John, who mortally collapsed while clasping the hand of his slayer — his wife Myrtle. Was his homicide murder or self defense?