Even at the time - there was controversy - but these threads are consistent.
McCall states during his trial in Deadwood on August 3, 1876:
"Well, men, I have but few words to say. Wild Bill killed my brother, and I killed him. Wild Bill threatened to kill me if I ever crossed his path. I am not sorry for what I have done. I would do the same thing over again."
He was found 'Not Guilty' at that trial - but the verdict was ruled void when it was found to have been rendered in Indian Territory.
From the Black Hills "Pioneer".
A Deputy United States Marshal, with a posse of five men, has started in pursuit of John Varnes, now on the "new stampede," who is charged with having procured the death of Wild Bill by paying a sum of money to Jack McCall, alias Sutherland, for committing the deed.
It appears that some time ago, Wild Bill and Varnes had a difficulty in Denver, and the animosity between the two was augmented by a dispute over a game of poker at the Senate saloon, in this city, a short time previous to the death of Wild Bill, at which time Bill interfered in a dispute between Varnes and another man. Bill covered him with his pistol, and arrogated to himself the position of umpire, after which friends interfered and ended the difficulty.
It is not necessary to speak of the arrest and trial of the murderer McCall. Suffice it to say he was arrested by the United States authorities at Cheyenne and taken to Yankton for trial. It appears that he now desires to turn state's evidence, and charges Varnes with having paid him money to murder Wild Bill.
"TRAVELER", SEPTEMBER 13, 1876 - FRONT PAGE.
Jack McCall, or Sutherland, the man who killed Wild Bill at Deadwood, has been arrested in Laramie City by Deputy Marshal Balcombe. He was taken to Cheyenne for examination before U. S. Commissioner Bruner, when, if the evidence against him be sufficient, he will be held to await a requisition from the governor of Dakota, and be taken to Yankton for trial for his crime.
McCall admits that Wild Bill never killed a brother of his, but that he killed Wild Bill because he snatched a card from him during the progress of a game between them.
Lorenzo Butler Hickok traveled from Illinois to attend the trial of his brother's murderer and was gratified by the guilty verdict.
On March 1, 1877, Jack McCall was put to death by hanging.
As to McCall's earlier claim of having shot Hickok out of revenge for his brother, it was later discovered that Jack McCall never had a brother.
Television and film are primarily entertainment.
The stories related sometimes bear a superficial likeness to the truth - but events and personalities are 'adjusted' as needed to ensure continuity and watchability.
It's called 'creative license'...
Real research - as opposed to the "John Ford Reference Library" - done in Public Libraries, Historical Societies and on the Internet will many times give a 'truth' that Hollywood never even came close to - much less touched upon.
As far as Hickok is concerned - go to a Search Engine like
www.dogpile.com or
www.google.com and type in 'Hickok Murder' and see what you get.
Good Luck.
Scouts Out!