Case Number: 8826
Peterson, Sophie - Age 34 - Died at the Mercy Hospital from a criminal abortion performed by Dr. Frederick Springe, in his office at 11315 So. Park Ave. on 10/27/26. On 12/2/26 Springe was held by the Coroner. 9 Dist. Dec. 1926 No bill.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | October 27, 1926 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | November 30, 1926 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Longer than 1 week |
| Address | 11315 S. Park ave. |
| Type of Location | Medical facility (Hospital, doctor's office, clinic) Midwife, Abortion place |
| Location Description | in his office |
| Type of Death | Accident |
| Description | Illegal abortion |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | in his office |
| Type of Accident | Death from abortion |
Victim
| Name | Peterson, Sophie |
|---|---|
| Age | 34 years |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | White |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Name of Hospital Where Victim Was Taken | Mercy |
Defendant
| Name | Springe, Frederick |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Doctor |
Police
| Precinct | 13 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Weeks |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | December 2, 1926 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner's verdict and grand jury |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Grand Jury Decision | December 15, 1926 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment for felony murder |
