[harpseal]

A .38 handgun lay on the floor by the sofa, and a .38 shell casing was located in an ashtray on a table to Kathy's right.

At this point I must ask was a Smith & Wesson semi automatic pistol the .38 cal handgun that was found lying on the floor because that is an exceedingly rare pistol and one of the very few semi automatics that fire the .38 spl round. If it was a .380 cal also known as a 9mm kurtz than such semi auto pitols are common. If it was not a semi auto pistol then where did the shell casing come from? Revolvers and deringers do not eject shell casings without manual operation of the action.

The reasons I ask are to verify what could be definitive evidence or could be merely an error on stating the caliber in the story.

[BlackbirdSST]

First thing I noticed, the .38 shell casing in the ashtray? Thing's that make you go, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ? Blackbird.

[AMURPHY]

From the coroners report - PULASKI COUNTY CORONER, 201 S. BROADWAY STE. 340, LITTLE ROCK, AR. 72201 – Case Number: 94-697-GC stated that the gun was an AMT 380 CAL. SEMI-AUTO Handgun was on the floor by the couch. A 380 CAL. Cartridge Casing was found in the Ashtray on a table at the end of the couch to the decedent’s right. NOT STANDING STRAIGHT UP to respond to ---MonroeDNA ---- but it does make a more interesting story – doesn’t it? You will also find in the report from the ARKANSAS STATE CRIME LABORATORY Medical Examiner Division - #3 Natural Resources Drive, PO Box 5274, Little Rock, Arkansas 72215 (501) 227-5747. Case Number: ME-371-94; states that a .380 caliber automatic pistol with one spent cartridge and four live rounds belonging to the boyfriend was recovered at the scene.