There is no doubt that John Pointer was present when a man named Blue was killed in the Choctaw Nation on September 10, 1872. The extent of his involvement in that death is less clear.
According to Pointer, an 18-year old Seminole, the fatal incident began when his companion, Sam McGee, declared his intention to kill Blue, a white drover who was passing by. Pointer says he opposed that plan and fled the scene.
Pointer was arrested; he claims that McGee used his connections to protect himself and implicate Pointer.
Pointer was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Along with two other men, both of whom were Choctaw, he was hanged on April 3, 1874.
The Federal Death Penalty Project 