The Lady Killer

Originally Aired: May 14, 1961 Gunsmoke #475, "The Lady Killer," brings Marshal Matt Dillon face to face with a puzzling death when rancher Grant Lucas is shot and killed at the Grand Hotel. Grant had come to Dodge City early to testify against Cy Welsh in an upcoming trial for land fraud, a case that seems open and shut with both Grant and Matt as witnesses. When Matt arrives at the scene, saloon girl May Towmy claims she shot Grant in self-defense, insisting he broke her hotel window trying to steal a valuable diamond brooch she'd foolishly told him about earlier that day. Though the story troubles Matt, he has little choice but to accept her version of events. As the trial approaches, suspicions deepen when Cy Welsh shows surprising confidence despite facing certain conviction. Doc and Chester encounter Cy at the stable, where he coldly dismisses Grant's death and boasts that he'll make the marshal look like a fool in court. Meanwhile, May's behavior grows increasingly suspicious as she makes contact with mysterious strangers, and fragments of whispered conversation suggest a deadly conspiracy may be unfolding with Matt Dillon himself as the target.