James Casey and Charles Cora
1856

May 1856 saw the creation of San Francisco’s Second Committee of Vigilance, largely in response to the sensational murder of newspaper editor James King of William.

The accused murderer, James Casey, also the owner of a newspaper and an elected member of the Board of Supervisors, was quickly arrested and placed in the county jail. The Committee members, worried that Casey might escape or be released from the jail, decided to take matters into their own hands.

Three thousand supporters of the The Committee forced Sheriff David Scannell to hand over Casey and another prisoner, Charles Cora, who had murdered the local U.S. Marshall, William Richardson. The two "rescued" prisoners were taken to the headquarters of The Committee (located on Sacramento Street near Front Street) and, after a trial, both were hung eight days after Casey shot James King of William.