William
Reiley
Cincinnati Daily Commercial, Wednesday, 4 April 1860, page 2
Cold Blooded Murder in Alexandria. On Monday evening, William Reily, a young man only nineteen years old, was shot dead by the proprietor in Alexandria, named Charles Merton, who merely suspected him of throwing stones into his window.
Reily was standing in a yard contiguous to Merton's house, when the latter rushed out with a shot gun and discharged its contents into Reily's abdomen, killing him instantly. Much indignation was felt by the residents of the place at the perpetrator, but his prompt arrest allayed their excitement and they became content to await the course of the law, instead of taking it into their own hands.
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Cincinnati Daily Press, Wednesday, 4 April 1860, page 4
On Saturday night last, some persons assailed with stones, at a doggery a place where liquor was kept by a German, Charles Merton, which so incensed him that he vowed to shoot the next man that was seen prowling about his premises. Night before last about eight pm, a young man named William Rily, was passing near the place and momentarily stopped. Merton suspecting some evil intention, deliberately fired upon him with a rifle.
The ball entered his vitals and he expired in a few minutes. Merton was immediately taken into custody and lodged in jail. He confessed his guilt but plead in extenuation that he was mistaken in the person, a circumstance that will hardly excuse him before a jury of his peers.
Riley was an amiable and intelligent young man, about twenty-one years of age and a nephew of Judge Riley of Covington.
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Cincinnati Daily Commercial, Thursday, 5 April 1860, page 2
Charles Merton Committed for Manslaughter-Day before yesterday Esquires Johnson and Neigerman held a special Court for the preliminary examination of Charles Merton, who shot William Riley (sic) on Sunday evening last at Alexandria. The facts already mentioned being substantiate, Merton was held to bail in $1500 to answer the charge of manslaughter at the next term of the Circuit Court.
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Cincinnati Daily Commercial, Monday, 28 May 1860, page 3
The Circuit Court convenses at Alexandria this morning when the case of Charles Merton, for shooting and killing William Reily will be brought up for trial.
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Cincinnati Daily Commercial, Saturday, 2 June 1860, page 3
Charles Merton Acquitted of the Murder of William Riley-Charles Merton was placed on trial on Thursday before the Circuit Court at Alexandria, for killing William Reiley some time since, by shooting him in the abdomen with a shotgun. The trial occupied nearly two days but the jury after a few moments deliberation, returned a verdict of acquittal.