Case Number: 4607

Norcika, Joseph. 28 yrs. Fatally assaulted 1/4/14 with hatchet in saloon 644 W. 18 St. by Ben Toporouski and Frank Zibarkaite who escaped. 22nd Pct. Toporouski brought back from Bayonne, N.J. & turned over to sheriff 1/20/14. 7/29/14 Toporouski acquitted - Kersten.


Circumstances

Date of Offense January 4, 1914
Date of Death January 4, 1914
Time Between Offense and Death Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene
Address 644 W. 18th St.
Type of Location Place of business
Location Description Saloon
Type of Death Manslaughter
Total Number of Victims 1
Location Saloon
Number of Defendants 1
Type of Business Bar/saloon
Type of Manslaughter Unintentional killing, other

Victim

Name Norcika, Joseph
Age 28 years
Gender Male
Race White
Ethnicity Other, eastern european

Defendant

Name Toporowski, Ben
Gender Male
Ethnicity Polish
Race White

Police

Precinct 22
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Arrest Made at Crime Scene Out of state arrest
Date Defendant Arrested 20-Jan-14
Time Between Crime and Arrest Weeks
Total Number of Defendants Arrested 1

Legal

Outcome of Coroner's Judgment Defendant held to Grand Jury
Trial Judge Kersten
Type of Legal Decision Recorded Coroner, trial
Jury Verdict Yes
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Date of Sentence July 29, 1914
Outcome of Grand Jury Decision Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified
Outcome of Trial Acquitted

Florence Kelley in Chicago, 1891-1899

Florence Kelley was the first woman factory inspector in the United States. A resident of Hull House, and a reformer – who refused to be associated with any political party–Florence Kelley lived in Chicago from 1891 until 1899, leading and participating in a variety of projects. Visit our companion site...