No Trespassing Gun-Trap

1935: John Nardo, 61, repeatedly told William Cavin, 58, to stop coming around calling on his daughter Marion, 27. After all, Cavin was already married with two kids. Plus, it doesn't seem that Marion wanted him coming round either. But Cavin persisted.

So Nardo rigged up a deadly trap for Cavin. He connected a concealed pistol to a 'No Trespassing' sign. When Cavin tried to take the sign down, which Nardo guessed that he would because he had torn down previous signs, it triggered the gun to fire, killing Cavin.

Nardo was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 4 to 15 years.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Jan14, 1935

Sayre Evening Times - Jan 17, 1935
(It says in the caption here that Marion was 17, but every other source I've found says she was 27)

John Nardo

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Posted By: Alex - Wed Sep 20, 2017
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Comments

No wonder poor Cavin couldn't stop himself from coming around there. Marion looks just like Olive Oyl.

Posted by Virtual on 09/20/17 at 09:21 AM

Probably would have gotten off if he pulled the trigger himself. Policeman and fireman don't like booby traps, even if there is good cause for one. Wonder how many years he served?

Posted by RobK on 09/20/17 at 10:31 AM

The problem with such a trap is that it does not discriminate between friend and foe. This is the basis of laws against such devices. Is it possible that with modern facial recognition machinery these laws will become outdated and trap devices will be ruled legal to use? Just a thought.

Posted by KDP on 09/20/17 at 10:59 AM

If Nardo had used a 410 gauge shotgun loaded with rock salt and the aim lower, he may have avoided the murder charge.

Posted by BMN on 09/20/17 at 01:33 PM

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