It did always strike me as a strange way to try to shoot yourself-in the chest, not directly at any vital organs.

Two authors suggest it was a case of manslaughter at best.

It would fit Vincent’s gentle, resigned nature at the time to protect some youngsters who had their whole lives ahead of them.

If true, it definately changes the dynamics of one of the most notorious martyrs to modern art.  Unfortunately the truth can never be known.