We're all familiar with The Bermuda Triangle, that expanse of water off Florida that has spawned so many mysteries. But, there's another less known triangle that in the early 60's gave birth to a puzzler of its own. It's the dreaded DaMoCo Triangle, named for the convergence of Dade, Monroe, and Collier Counties.
At one point US 41, the Tamiami Trail, bursts right through the triangle on its way to Miami, on one end, or Naples on the other. If your car is long enough, you can be in all three counties at once.
Near that convergence there once stood a roadside cafe/convenience store called The Trail Center. The small building was a popular oasis on the long, barren Trail. You could buy a tasty burger, go to the John, or gas up and stretch your legs. You could also get skunk drunk on the beer purveyed there and many a hunter did before venturing into the woods with their high powered rifles and bleary eyes.
One day two hunters had way too much fun boozing, decided they didn't like each other, and went outside to settle the score. One hunter, having forgotten what they'd come there to kill, shot the other.
There were several witnesses to the murder, the shooter didn't deny it, and relieved investigators believed the case should be a slam dunk. Until they pin-pointed where shooter and victim actually stood--or lay--in the former's case. Seems the shooter was standing in Collier County, the bullet passed through the air of Monroe County, and struck the victim standing in Dade County.
This conundrum was a head-scratcher. Just where did the crime occur? Was it Collier, where the gun was fired, or Dade where the bullet hit the victim?
Later, old-time Deputy Bill McCrea, who told this tale to Dave Johnson, said the different agencies sweated over that one for a while, finally deciding Dade County should own it. Hell, with all the mayhem going on in Miami they probably wouldn't even notice one more.
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