Case Number: 9465

Berry, Eli - Age 26 - Colored - Fatally assaulted at 8:50 PM, 3/16/28, in a box car in R.R. camp at 94th St. and Drexel Ave., which was occupied by three Mexicans, Estanislao Vaca, Joseph Vargas, and Andrew Serrano, who set upon him with a club and stove poker when he drew a gun and tried to rob them. On 3/17/28 they were all exonerated by the Coroner. 11 Dist.


Circumstances

Date of Offense March 16, 1928
Date of Death March 16, 1928
Time Between Offense and Death Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene
Address 94th st. & Drexel ave.
Type of Location Vehicle
Location Description boxcar
Type of Death Homicide
Type of Homicide Intentional manslaughter
Characteristics victim tried to rob them
Method of Killing Other beating
Weapon fatally assaulted
Motive drew a gun and tried to rob defendants
Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide Yes
Description Robbery
Total Number of Victims 1
Location boxcar
Related to Organized Crime

Victim

Name Berry, Eli
Age 26 years
Gender Male
Race Black
Ethnicity African American

Defendant

Name Vaca, Estanislao
Gender Male
Ethnicity Latino, Hispanic
Race Other

Police

Precinct 37
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Time Between Crime and Arrest Less than 1 day

Legal

Date of Coroner's Decision March 17, 1928
Outcome of Coroner's Judgment Exonerated, Commended
Charges Against Defendant No
Type of Legal Decision Recorded Coroner's verdict only
Allegations of Police Corruption No

Florence Kelley in Chicago, 1891-1899

Florence Kelley was the first woman factory inspector in the United States. A resident of Hull House, and a reformer – who refused to be associated with any political party–Florence Kelley lived in Chicago from 1891 until 1899, leading and participating in a variety of projects. Visit our companion site...