Homicide in Chicago :: INTERACTIVE DATABASE

Case Description

Coppersmith, Mrs. Ella - Age 28 - Skull fractured with a hammer and throat cut, at her home at 7100 Lowe Ave., her 2 yr. old son John L. also killed in like manner. Many suspects arrested and on 5/17/15 William Russell Pethrick, grocer's delivery boy, confessed to the double murder, and was held by the Coroner 5/18/15 without bail. 17 Pct. 9/28/15 Pethick to Joliet Pen for life - Barrett. 10/22/15 - s/o - Barrett.

Case Number

3226

Circumstances

Date of offense	May 6, 1915
Date of death	May 6, 1915
Time between offense and death	Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene
Address	7100 Lowe Ave.
Type of location	Residence
Type of residence	Residence of victim
Location description	home
Type of death	Homicide
Type of homicide	Intentional murder
Method of killing	Beaten with blunt object, struck
Weapon	skull fractured w/hammer & throat cut
Murder/suicide?	Yes
Total number of victims	2
Related to Prohibition?	Yes

Victim

Name	Coppersmith, Mrs. Ella
Age	28 years
Gender	Female
Race	White
Ethnicity	English-Anglo
Victim/defendant relationship	Not related by family
Prior non-family relationship	Other business or monetary relationship

Defendant

Defendant/victim relationship	Known (recognized person)
Prior non-family relationship	Other business or monetary relationship

Police

Total number of defendants arrested	1
Allegations of police corruption	No

Legal

Charges against defendant	No charges recorded
Type of legal decision recorded	Coroner, trial
Allegations of police corruption	No

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