Case Number: 7696
Bufford, Wm. I. - Age 45 - Colored - Fatally shot 10:45 PM., 9/9/27, in his smoke-shop at 311 E. 37th St., by John Graves, who was drunk Graves asked for a gun and Bufford showed him one; Graves started to walk away with it and Bufford grabbed for him and was shot. On 9/10/27 Graves was held by the Coroner. 2A Dist. 12/19/27 - to Joliet Pen. - Kerner.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | September 9, 1927 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | September 9, 1927 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 311 E. 37th St. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | victim's smoke shop |
| Type of Death | Manslaughter |
| Description | Other |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | victim's smoke shop |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Type of Business | Other place of business |
| Type of Manslaughter | Unintentional killing with gun |
Victim
| Name | Bufford, William I |
|---|---|
| Age | 45 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Black |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.) |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store owner, hotel owner |
Defendant
| Name | John Graves |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 2 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 10-Sep-27 |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Days |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | September 10, 1927 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Kemar |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Jury Verdict | Yes |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | December 19, 1927 |
| Length of Sentence | Indeterminate sentence |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty, unspecified offense |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
