Case Number: 6484
Law, Walter R. - Age 29 - Found shot to death at 1:30 A.M. in a Sedan at 50th St. and Forrestville Ave., a .32 cal. automatic pistol beside him in the auto. The gun and the auto found to be the property of Mrs. Belva Gaertner, who was soon after arrested at her home, 4809 Forrestville Ave., drunk and bloodstained. On 3/12/24 she was held by the Coroner. 3 Dist. 6/6/24 Acquitted - Lindsay.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | March 12, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | March 12, 1924 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 50th St. and Forrestville Ave. |
| Type of Location | Vehicle |
| Location Description | Sedan |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | Sedan |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Prohibition Related Indicators | def. Drunk |
Victim
| Name | Law, Walter |
|---|---|
| Age | 29 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
Defendant
| Name | Gaertner, Belva |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | German |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 3 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 12-Mar-24 |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Less than 1 day |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | March 12, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Trial Judge | Lindsay |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | June 6, 1924 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified |
| Outcome of Trial | Acquitted |
