The Howard family and fellow bar owners were outraged, saying Howard was chased down and bashed repeatedly in the back of the head.
Unless "The Howard family and fellow bar owners" were there (and why didn't they help, huh?) then they're just guessing. Only the 3rd man in the fight knows much about what really happened.
"Only the 3rd man in the fight knows much about what really happened."
Well, unless I misread, he's the one who threw the first punch. I guess he's not saying all that much. Taking the Fifth, I suppose.
This story stinks. Not enough info.
Moe? Curly? Shemp?