On April 3, 1882, after eating breakfast, the Fords and James went into the living room before travelling to Platte City.
By reading the daily newspaper, James had just learned of gang member Liddil's confession for participating in Hite's murder and grew increasingly suspicious of the Fords for never reporting this matter to him.
According to Robert Ford, it became clear to him that James had realized they were there to betray him.
However, instead of scolding the Fords, James walked across the living room to lay his revolvers on a sofa.
He turned around and noticed a dusty picture above the mantel, and stood on a chair in order to clean it.
  Robert Ford drew his weapon and shot James in the back of the head.

After the killing, the Fords wired Crittenden to claim their reward.
They surrendered themselves to legal authorities but were dismayed to be charged with first degree murder.
In one day, the Ford brothers were indicted, pleaded guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging, but two hours later Crittenden granted them a full pardon.
On April 3, 1882, after eating breakfast, the Fords and James went into the living room before travelling to Platte City. By reading the daily newspaper, James had just learned of gang member Liddil's confession for participating in Hite's murder and grew increasingly suspicious of the Fords for never reporting this matter to him. According to Robert Ford, it became clear to him that James had realized they were there to betray him. However, instead of scolding the Fords, James walked across the living room to lay his revolvers on a sofa. He turned around and noticed a dusty picture above the mantel, and stood on a chair in order to clean it.   Robert Ford drew his weapon and shot James in the back of the head.
After the killing, the Fords wired Crittenden to claim their reward. They surrendered themselves to legal authorities but were dismayed to be charged with first degree murder. In one day, the Ford brothers were indicted, pleaded guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging, but two hours later Crittenden granted them a full pardon.
Robert Ford (outlaw)