Case Number: 5831
Bell, Willie - Age 26 - Colored - Fatally assaulted with a baseball bat in the hands of Otto Epstein and beaten and kicked by a mob in front of 1362 Miller St., after being accused by two white women of having insulted them. On 10/10/24 Epstein was held by the Coroner as the principal and Irvin Rockowitz as an accessory. 16 Dist. Oct. 1924 No Bill on Rockowitz. 12/10/24 Max Greenberg arrested and confessed to this murder 12/11 held without bail by Judge Adams. 3/4/25 Greenberg acquitted - Williams. Epstein reindicted by Jan. 1925 G.J. and on 4/21/25 Ind was quashed - Brothers.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | October 8, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | October 8, 1924 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 1362 Miller st. |
| Type of Location | Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley |
| Type of Public Place | Street, sidewalk or alley |
| Location Description | in front of 1362 Miller st. |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Characteristics | assaulted with bat, Beaten &kicked by mob |
| Method of Killing | Beaten with blunt object, struck |
| Weapon | fatally assaulted with a baseball bat |
| Motive | accused by two white women of having insulted them |
| Description | Other |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Excessive Violence | Multiple assaults |
| Location | in front of 1362 Miller st. |
| Number of Defendants | 3 |
| Related to Organized Crime |
Victim
| Name | Bell, Willie |
|---|---|
| Age | 26 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Black |
| Ethnicity | African American |
Defendant
| Name | Epstein, Otto |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | German |
| Race | White |
| Killed While Protecting Person | Protecting person outside family |
Police
| Precinct | 19 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 3 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | October 10, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Murder was cause of death |
| Trial Judge | Brothers |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, grandy jury, trials |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified |
