Case Number: 10922
Russo, Vito - Age 35- Killed in a premature explosion of either gasoline or naptha, at 522 So. Kildare Ave., a store, which it is alleged, he was hired to set afire by explosion, by the owner, Sam Madonia, whose purpose was to collect insurance. On 2/5/30 Madonia, who was arrested nearby just after the blast, was booked for murder by arson. On 2/26/30 he was indicted and the inquest was continued indefinitely. 25 Dist.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | February 4, 1930 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | February 4, 1930 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 522 S. Kildare |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | store |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional manslaughter |
| Characteristics | murder by arson |
| Method of Killing | Other |
| Weapon | killed in premature explosion |
| Motive | victim hired by defendant to set fire to store, di |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | Yes |
| Description | Other felony murder, e.g. arson |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | store |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Other place of business |
Victim
| Name | Russo, Vito |
|---|---|
| Age | 35 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Outside labor force (incl. criminals) |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
| Occupation/ Skill | Other, outside labor force, inmate |
Defendant
| Name | Madonia, Sam |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
| Race | White |
| Business Owner | Store or shop |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store owner, hotel owner |
Police
| Precinct | 36 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Arrest Made at Crime Scene | Yes |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 24-Feb-30 |
| 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 | February 5, 1930 |
|---|---|
| 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 | February 26, 1930 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment for felony murder |
