Case Number: 10329
Kurtz, Bernard J. � Age 32 � While in an intoxicated condition, deceased and a friend were lured to Apt. 2 of 4843 Winthrop Ave., a rooming house, by a Checker Cab chauffeur, Joseph Michelson, who robbed and shot Kurtz. The other man escaped and later surrendered to tell the story as the guilty pointed his way. On 1/10/29 Joseph Michelson, the chauffeur was identified and on 1/12/29 held by the Coroner. 22 Dist. 7/16/29 � Acquitted � Comerford.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | January 4, 1929 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | January 4, 1929 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 4843 Winthrop Ave |
| Type of Location | Residence |
| Location Description | Apt. 2, rooming house |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Characteristics | victim was lured into an apt., robbed & shot |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | shot |
| Motive | victim & friend lured into def's. home where he wa |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Robbery |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | Apt. 2, rooming house |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Residence | Residence of defendant |
Victim
| Name | Kurtz, Bernard J. |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Ethnicity | German |
Defendant
| Name | Michelson, Joseph |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, skilled (butcher, electrician, cab drivers, street car, etc.) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Cab driver, street car driver, wagon driver |
Police
| Precinct | 22 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 12-Jan-29 |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Days |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | January 12, 1929 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Comerford |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Jury Verdict | Yes |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | July 16, 1929 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment, other homicide, homicide unspecified |
| Outcome of Trial | Acquitted |
