The situation is a little more confused than Lee describes. First, it
is pretty clear that this act was intentional, not a case of misfiring.
For this reason (according to the Times of March 3, 1893) Williams was
initially found guilty of assault with intent to kill. Williams' lawyer
asked for a new trial, which was still under advisement when Treitel
died (Treitel's death is the reason for the Mar 3, 1893 article). There
is some question as to how the charge in any such trial should be
changed by Treitel's death, with the prosecutor arguing against
manslaughter (presumably wanting a murder charge).

I will let anyone know if I find any more on this, and would appreciate
hearing what others find or know.

Jerry Spinrad

PS: Taylor, if you want the NYT articles, you know where to write!