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.
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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