Case Number: 7597
Barnett, Bettie - Age 21 - Colored - Found at 6:07 P.M., at home, 1322 Mohawk St., lying under the bed, having been strangled to death with a leather belt. Money was taken from her stocking and elsewhere. Suspicion centers on Chas. Hobbs, alias Coleman, who disappeared and who, the day before, spoke of going home down south. No evidence of assault. On 12/22/25 his arrest was recommended by the Coroner. 29 Dist. 1/6/26 Hobbs brought back from Cleveland, O. with Lonnie Kimble and both held without bail by Judge George. 3/18/26 - Kimble acquitted and Hobbs sentenced to hang 4/16/26 - Gemmill.4/16/26 Hobbs hanged in Co. Jail.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | December 21, 1925 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | December 21, 1925 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 1322 Mohawk st |
| Type of Location | Residence |
| Location Description | lying under the bed |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Characteristics | found lying under the bed having been strangled to |
| Method of Killing | Strangled |
| Weapon | strangled to death with leather belt |
| Motive | money was taken from her stocking and elsewhere |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Robbery |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | lying under the bed |
| Number of Defendants | 2 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Residence | Residence of victim |
Victim
| Name | Barnett, Bethie |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 years |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | Black |
| Ethnicity | African American |
Defendant
| Name | Mobbs, Charles aka Colemen |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 29 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Arrest Made at Crime Scene | Out of state arrest |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 6-Jan-26 |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Weeks |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 2 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | December 22, 1925 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Recommended investigation/arrest |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Gemmill |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Jury Verdict | Yes |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | April 16, 1926 |
| Length of Sentence | Death penalty |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty of murder |
| Post Trial Information | Death sentence carried out |
| Sentence Completed | Yes |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
