Case Number: 4183
Kominek, Thomas - Age 20 - Shot to death in club room of White Eagle Pleasure Club, 1913 W. 21st St., by several members of another club who entered and without warning commenced to discharge revolvers at the persons therein. Outcome of previous quarrel over ball game. On 8/26/20 John J. Radeski, Charles Radecki and Jas. A. Shaffer were arrested and on 9/8/20 held by the Coroner who also recommended arrests of Frank Serdinsky and Anthony Sandie. 18 Pct. George Lessmer was arrested 8/26/20 but released by Coroner. On 10/6/20 Lessmer was re-arrested and turned over to the Sheriff on indictment. 11/30/20 all Dis. for want of prosecution - Sullivan. 12/9/20 - Shaffer #####. 1/21/23 Writs dismissed in Sup. Ct. - both Radecki cases - McKinley. Chas. & John Radecki re-indicted by Nov. 1920 G.J. and on 1/15/21 Chas. to Joliet for 14 yrs. & John to Joliet for 20 yrs. by Judge Sullivan. 1/22/21 - Lessmer, Sudinsky, and Sudie stricken off - Sullivan. 6/10/21 Sudie re-arrested & to Sheriff. 9/19/21 Frank Serdinsky arr. & to sheriff. 7/20/21 Frank Serdinsky cause reinstated - Scanlon. 5/20/22 Sudie to 20 yrs. Joliet Pen - Fitch. 5/20/22 Serdinsky 14 yrs. Joliet Pen. - Fitch. 7/9/23 - Sentences affirmed by Supreme Court - McKinley.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | August 22, 1920 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | August 22, 1920 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 1913 W. 21st. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | clubroom of white Easle Pleasure Club |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Characteristics | shot to death |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | shot to death |
| Motive | quarrel over ball game |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | Yes |
| Description | Dispute over money or property, quarrel |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | clubroom of white Easle Pleasure Club |
| Number of Defendants | 4 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Other place of business |
Victim
| Name | Kominek, Thomas |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Ethnicity | Other, eastern european |
Defendant
| Name | Radecki, John |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, eastern european |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 26 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Days |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 4 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | September 8, 1920 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Sullivan |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, grandy jury, trials |
| Jury Verdict | Yes |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Grand Jury Decision | November 15, 1920 |
| Date of Sentence | January 15, 1921 |
| Length of Sentence | 20 years |
| Number of Times Case Stricken Off | 1 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty, unspecified offense |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
