Case Number: 5060

Smilas, Michael, 42 years, Shot dead at Van Buren St., and Washtenaw Ave. - 5/7/14 Philip and Maurice Donnahar, brothers, held by the Coroner. 29th Prct. 12/12/14 Maurice to Joliet Pen. for 14 years - Dever. 4/5/16 Phillip acquitted - Brothers.


Circumstances

Date of Offense May 5, 1914
Date of Death May 5, 1914
Time Between Offense and Death Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene
Address Van Buren st. and Washtenaw Ave
Type of Location Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley
Type of Public Place Street, sidewalk or alley
Type of Death Manslaughter
Total Number of Victims 1
Type of Manslaughter Unintentional killing with gun

Victim

Name Smilas, Michael
Age 42 years
Gender Male
Race White
Ethnicity Latino, Hispanic

Defendant

Name Donnabar, Maurice
Gender Male
Ethnicity Other, eastern european
Race White

Police

Precinct 32
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Total Number of Defendants Arrested 2

Legal

Date of Coroner's Decision May 7, 1914
Outcome of Coroner's Judgment Defendant held to Grand Jury
Charges Against Defendant No
Trial Judge Dever
Type of Legal Decision Recorded Coroner, trial
Jury Verdict Yes
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Date of Sentence December 12, 1914
Length of Sentence 14 years
Sentenced to Joliet, Stateville

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...