Interactive Database
Case Description
Weil, William, Age 49 - Beaten (with wire-wound club) and suffocated with gag in his flower store at 421 W. 63rd St., by 3 bandits who had gained access to his store and awaited his return. 4/15/15 Walter F. Weed and Wilbert Hard held to G.J. by the Coroner who also ordered Frank Holstein (or Hornstein) held when apprehended. 17th Pct. 8/5/15 Hard and Weed to Joliet Pen. for life - Kersten. [Hard escaped from Joliet Pen.]
Circumstances
| Date of offense |
April 15, 1915 |
| Date of death |
April 15, 1915 |
| Time between offense and death |
Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene
|
| Address |
421 W. 63rd st.
|
| Type of location |
Place of business
|
| Type of business |
Other place of business
|
| Location description |
in his flower store
|
| Type of death |
Homicide
|
| Type of homicide |
Other murder, felony murder
|
| Characteristics |
beaten and suffocated
|
| Method of killing |
Other beating
|
| Weapon |
beaten with wire-wound club & suffocated with gag
|
| Victim initiated events leading to homicide |
No
|
| Excessive violence |
Excessive or extreme use of force
|
| Murder/suicide? |
Yes
|
| Total number of victims |
1
|
| Related to Prohibition? |
Yes
|
Victim
| Name |
Weil, William
|
| Age |
49 years
|
| Gender |
Male
|
| Race |
White
|
| Ethnicity |
English-Anglo
|
| Employed |
Yes
|
| Employment Type |
Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.)
|
| Business Owner |
Store or shop
|
| Occupational skill |
Store owner, hotel owner
|
| Victim/defendant relationship |
Not related by family
|
Defendant
| Name |
Weed, Walter F.
|
| Gender |
Male
|
| Race |
White
|
| Ethnicity |
English-Anglo
|
| Defendant/victim relationship |
Stranger
|
Police
| Total number of defendants arrested |
2
|
| Allegations of police corruption |
No
|
Legal
| Date of coroner's decision |
April 15, 1915 |
| Outcome of coroner's judgement |
Defendant held to Grand Jury
|
| Charges against defendant |
Felony murder
|
| Felony murder classification |
Robbery
|
| Trial Judge |
Kersten
|
| Jury verdict |
Yes
|
| Type of legal decision recorded |
Coroner, trial
|
| Date of sentence |
August 5, 1915 |
| Sentenced to |
Joliet, Stateville
|
| Length of sentence |
Life
|
| Allegations of police corruption |
No
|
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