Case Number: 10544
Mariano, Gracciano, alias Medino - Age 46 - Died from a gunshot wound received 5:05 PM, 11/11/28, in a poolroom at 542 Forquer St., at the hands of the proprietor, Joe Vitols. Deceased and another man, intoxicated, began to throw pool balls around the place and were ejected by Vitols. They came back armed with knives and cut Vitols who got his gun and shot at them. 3/15/29 Vitols was booked for manslaughter but on 3/26/29 he was exonerated by the Coroner and the case was nolle prossed by Judge Hartigan on 3/27/29. 22 Dist.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | November 11, 1928 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | March 14, 1929 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Longer than 1 week |
| Address | 542 Forquer St. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | pool room |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional manslaughter |
| Characteristics | victim came back to kill the defendant but that le |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | died from gunshot wound, gun unspecified |
| Motive | victims were causing trouble at defendant's busine |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | Yes |
| Description | Dispute over money or property, quarrel |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Excessive Violence | Excessive or extreme use of force |
| Location | pool room |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Other place of business |
Victim
| Name | Mariano, Gracciano; alias - Me |
|---|---|
| Age | 46 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
Defendant
| Name | Joe Vitols |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, eastern european |
| Race | White |
| Business Owner | Bar/saloon |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store owner, hotel owner |
Police
| Precinct | 22 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 15-Mar-29 |
| 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 | March 26, 1929 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Exonerated, Commended |
| 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 | March 27, 1929 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment for felony murder |
