Case Number: 2633
Walters, John, colored, died in Samaritan Hospital from bullet in brain, the shot having been fired Sept. 25, in saloon 1427 State St., by Wm. Kurtz, bartender, in quarrel over payment for beer. Kurtz was arrested, indicted Oct. 26, and sentenced Feb. 15, 1902, by Judge Dunne to indefinite term in Joliet Penitentiary.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | September 25, 1901 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | September 25, 1901 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Within 1 week but more than 1 day |
| Address | 1427 State |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | saloon |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | died from bullet in brain |
| Motive | quarrel over payment for beer |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | Yes |
| Description | Dispute over money or property, quarrel |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | saloon |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Type of Business | Bar/saloon |
Victim
| Name | Walters, John |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Black |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Name of Hospital Where Victim Was Taken | Samaritan Hos |
Defendant
| Name | Kurtz, Wm. |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | German |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, skilled (butcher, electrician, cab drivers, street car, etc.) |
| Killed While Protecting Property | Protecting bar/saloon |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store worker, bar tender |
Police
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
|---|---|
| Date Defendant Arrested | 26-Sep-01 |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Days |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | April 1, 1901 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Dunne |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Grand Jury Decision | October 26, 1901 |
| Date of Sentence | February 15, 1902 |
| Length of Sentence | Indeterminate sentence |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty, unspecified offense |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
