Case Number: 6545
Melody, James - Age 24 - Fatally shot 10/11/21 in cabaret at 4124 Dearborn St., by Patrolman Patrick A. Miskell who was off duty and intoxicated. On 4/13/22 Miskell was held by the Coroner for Manslaughter. 3 Dist. 3/19/24 - Acquitted - Fischer.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | October 11, 1921 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | April 12, 1922 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 4124 Dearborn st. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | cabaret at 4124 Dearborn st. |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Unintentional manslaughter |
| Characteristics | shot off-duty, drunk patrolman |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | fatally shot |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Bar room brawl |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | cabaret at 4124 Dearborn st. |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Prohibition Related Indicators | drunk def. |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Bar/saloon |
Victim
| Name | Melody, James |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
Defendant
| Name | Patrolman Patrick A. Miskell |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
Police
| Precinct | 16 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Defendant Identified at Scene | No |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | March 19, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | No judgment (open verdict) |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Fisher |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Outcome of Trial | Acquitted |
