Case Number: 8558

Minatti, John - Age 31 - Shot to death at 11:15 AM, at 2418 Lowe Ave., while testifying at an inquest into the death of Mike Vinci. Sam Vinci, brother of Mike, shot him when he testified that he didn't know Mike Vinci. Sam, however, declared the three had dispensed bootleg together. On 11/24/25 Sam Vinci was turned over to the Sheriff on indictment. 14 Dist. 3/26/26 - 26 years in Joliet Pen. - Gemmill.



Circumstances

Date of Offense November 21, 1925
Date of Death November 21, 1925
Time Between Offense and Death Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene
Address 2418 Lowe Ave
Type of Location Jail, prison, lawful custody of police or corrections, police station
Location Description At an inquest
Type of Death Homicide
Type of Homicide Intentional murder
Characteristics victim killed while testifying at def's brother's
Method of Killing Other gun, gun unspecified
Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide No
Description Dispute over money or property, quarrel
Total Number of Victims 1
Location At an inquest
Number of Defendants 1
Organized Crime Indicators vitim shot for testifying at a trial
Prohibition Related Indicators Def. said at bro's trial that the 3 were bootlegge
Related to Organized Crime Other

Victim

Name Minatti, John
Age 31 years
Gender Male
Race White
Employed Yes
Ethnicity Italian
Known to Chicago Police as A Bootlegger

Defendant

Name Vinci, Sam
Gender Male
Ethnicity Italian
Race White
Employed Yes
Employment Type Outside labor force (incl. criminals)

Police

Precinct 14
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Arrest Made at Crime Scene Yes
Date Defendant Arrested 21-Nov-25
Defendant Identified at Scene No
Time Between Crime and Arrest Less than 1 day
Total Number of Defendants Arrested 1

Legal

Date of Coroner's Decision November 24, 1925
Outcome of Coroner's Judgment Defendant held to Grand Jury
Charges Against Defendant No
Trial Judge Gemmill
Type of Legal Decision Recorded Grand jury, trial
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Date of Sentence March 26, 1926
Length of Sentence 26 years
Outcome of Trial Guilty, unspecified offense
Sentenced to Joliet, Stateville