A Scene from the Old West - Poker Game Goes Stale

Chicago, Illinois - Patricia Clark, Rosie Morris and some friends were engaged in a "friendly" poker game. At stake was an $800 pot. Patricia won the hand. She went to the freezer to get some ice. Meanwhile, Morris went into to a bedroom and got a gun. Without warning, Morris shot Clark in the back. Then she fired three more times into Clark's head and chest. Her reason? Cheating.

Patricia Clark was 51 and a preacher. She preached at several South Side churches and had recently started a candy business. She died at Christ Hospital two days later the shooting. Morris (46) was, of course, charged with murder. Initially she tried to flee, but later turned herself in to the police.

Interesting side note: Patricia had no plans on playing poker that day. She went to the Morris house to collect a $300 gambling debt. For unknown reasons Patricia ended up playing poker and dead.

Did she cheat? Patricia Clark, though a preacher was a pretty savvy poker player. James Clark, Patricia's husband, said she "didn't cheat and didn't need to cheat, she's just very good at cards." But only Patricia knows and she is dead.

In true old west style, James Clark calls the murder, "Cowardly".

Mrs. Clark leaves behind her husband and one son. Ironically one of the Clark's sons was himself murdered. (Not in a poker game.)