Interactive Database
Case Description
Merry, Mrs. Paulina, body found in ditch, 87th St., near Western Av. Christian Merry, her husband, and James Smith arrested in Princeton, Ky., and brought to Chicago Dec. 19, 1897. Merry hanged April 22, 1898. Smith sentenced May 23, 1898 by Judge Waterman to eight months in County Jail. James Ryan arrested as accessory.
Circumstances
| Date of offense |
November 28, 1897 |
| Date of death |
November 28, 1897 |
| Address |
87th st., near Western Ave.
|
| Type of location |
Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley
|
| Type of public place |
Street, sidewalk or alley
|
| Location description |
ditch
|
| Type of death |
Homicide
|
| Type of homicide |
Intentional murder
|
| Weapon |
body found
|
| Murder/suicide? |
Yes
|
| Circumstances description |
Family quarrel
|
| Total number of victims |
1
|
| Total number of defendants |
3
|
| Related to Prohibition? |
Yes
|
Victim
| Name |
Merry, Paulina
|
| Gender |
Female
|
| Race |
White
|
| Ethnicity |
Other, european
|
| Employed |
Yes
|
| Employment Type |
Outside labor force (incl. criminals)
|
| Occupational skill |
Housewife
|
| Victim/defendant relationship |
Wife/Husband
|
| Related by blood or marriage |
Spouses
|
Defendant
| Name |
Merry, Christian
|
| Gender |
Male
|
| Race |
White
|
| Ethnicity |
Other, european
|
| Defendant/victim relationship |
Spouses (including common law and ever married)
|
| Related by blood or marriage |
Spouses
|
Police
| Location of arrest |
Princeton, Ky.
|
| Total number of defendants arrested |
3
|
| Time between crime and arrest |
Weeks
|
| Arrest made at crime scene |
Out of state arrest
|
| Allegations of police corruption |
No
|
Legal
| Charges against defendant |
Murder
|
| Type of legal decision recorded |
Coroner, trial
|
| Outcome of trial |
Guilty of murder
|
| Length of sentence |
Death penalty
|
| Sentence completed |
Yes
|
| Defendant executed? |
Yes
|
| Date of execution |
April 22, 1898 |
| Type of execution |
Hanged
|
| Post trial information |
Death sentence carried out
|
| Allegations of police corruption |
No
|
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