Case Number: 5491
Weil, William, Age 49 - Beaten (with wire-wound club) and suffocated with gag in his flower store at 421 W. 63rd St., by 3 bandits who had gained access to his store and awaited his return. 4/15/15 Walter F. Weed and Wilbert Hard held to G.J. by the Coroner who also ordered Frank Holstein (or Hornstein) held when apprehended. 17th Pct. 8/5/15 Hard and Weed to Joliet Pen. for life - Kersten. [Hard escaped from Joliet Pen.]
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | April 15, 1915 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | April 15, 1915 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 421 W. 63rd st. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | in his flower store |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Other murder, felony murder |
| Characteristics | beaten and suffocated |
| Method of Killing | Other beating |
| Weapon | beaten with wire-wound club & suffocated with gag |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Excessive Violence | Excessive or extreme use of force |
| Location | in his flower store |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Other place of business |
Victim
| Name | Weil, William |
|---|---|
| Age | 49 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.) |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store owner, hotel owner |
Defendant
| Name | Weed, Walter F. |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Race | White |
Police
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 2 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | April 15, 1915 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Kersten |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Jury Verdict | Yes |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | August 5, 1915 |
| Felony Murder Classification | Robbery |
| Length of Sentence | Life |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
