Case Number: 6378
Kensis, Joseph - Age 35 - Shot to death in his soft drink parlor, 1751 Milwaukee Ave., by two intoxicated police officers, Timothy A. Donovan, who, on 4/14/23, was held by the Coroner for manslaughter, and James E. Eonegan as accessory. On 4/9/23 Edward Weiland, Peter Linges, Joe Kliniche and Joseph D. hayes were also arrested as accessories and on 4/10/23 al lwere discharged by Judge Richardson and exonerated by the Coroner 4/14/23. 23 Dist. 11/28/25 - Donegan acquitted - Eller. 2/27/26 - Donovan to Joliet Pen. - Eller.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | April 8, 1923 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | April 8, 1923 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 1951 Milwaukee |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | vic's soft drink parlor |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional manslaughter |
| Characteristics | shot in softdrink parlor by 2 intoxicated police o |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | shot to death by 2 intoxicated police officers |
| Motive | def intoxicated |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Other |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | vic's soft drink parlor |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Liquor store |
Victim
| Name | Kensis, Joseph |
|---|---|
| Age | 35 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, low white collar (clerk, bookkeeper, etc.) |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store owner, hotel owner |
Defendant
| Name | Donovan, timothy A |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Law Enforcement, Police |
Police
| Precinct | 23 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Defendant Identified at Scene | No |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 6 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | April 14, 1923 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Eller |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | February 27, 1923 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty, unspecified offense |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
