GANG MENACE IN U.S.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18844, 6 April 1931, Page 9

GANG MENACE IN U.S.A.

Murder Of Reporter. GUNMAN SENT TO GAOL. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 5, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 4. At Chicago, Leo Brothers, a reputed St. Louis gunman, was given fourteen years in the state penitentiary, for the murder of Alfred Lingle, in June, 1930, after the jury had debated for twenty-seven hours. This is probably one of the few murder trials recorded in which a verdict was sought without some sort of direct evidence, leading to motive for killing. The case pivoted wholly on identification. The defence will receive a hearing for an application for a new trial on April 17. Brothers’s only comment, made to his guard was: “Let’s duck.” STORY OF THE CRIME. LINGLE KNEW TOO MUCH. A sensation was caused in Chicago in June last, by the shooting of Lingle. A day or two later Police-Commissioner Russell and Chief-Detective Stege resigned as a result of the public indignation aroused by the murder of Arthur Lingle, of the Chicago Tribune’s reporting staff. A committee of six business men, known as “the secret six,” investigated the activities of criminal gangs. Subsequently the Police Commissioners created six new squads of detectives, headed by men who at different times have killed from five to eleven gangsters each, for the purpose of hunting down the murderer of Arthur Lingle. The murder was the first notable shooting by gangsters outside their own class, and a great drive against hoodlums commenced. Squads of police have combed the city, capturing hundreds of gangsters and racketeers, on many occasions with pistols drawn. Lawyers flocked to the police headquarters demanding the release of their clients, but every hoodlum has been held “incommunicado.” The Chicago Press Club added £2OOO to the reward for the capture of the killers of Lingle, who was regarded as the greatest expert on gangs and gang leaders in the city. His friends say he knew more policemen and detectives than any city official. Chicago business leaders said the murder would give an impetus to the movement to sweep gangs from power. Independently wealthy, Lingle had continued in his work as a reporter on the Tribune because he loved to solve crime mysteries. His murder appeared to have been carefully planned. At Michigan Avenue Corner, three men in a parked roadster, called to him. “Do not forget to play Doc Schneider,” shouted one, referring to a horse popular with punters, for Lingle was on his way to the races. This is believed to have been the signal for the assassin, for a passer-by noticed two strangers step behind Lingle and follow him into a traffic tunnel. A moment later one shot him and as quickly disappeared. The pistol which was thrown to the ground had the maker’s number filed away, while the assassin had worn a glove, so that he would not leave fingerprints on the weapon. Dozens of arrests were made but slow progress was made toward the solution of the crime which had startled the entire city. The rewards offered totalled £IO,OOO. INNOCENT AL CAPONE. United Press Association—By Electric Tolegraph—Copyright (Received April 5, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 3. The vagrancy charges against A 1 Capone, were dismissed to-day at Chicago, when the State attorney confessed his inability to produce a single witness who could prove that the gang chieftain was a “frequenter of disreputable resorts.” Several policemen escorted the elegantly-attired gangster into the Court, where he posed for photographers and bantered with the detectives. The case was quickly disposed of. Not a single policeman would testify that A 1 Capone so much as frequented a speakeasy. Thus “No. 1 of Chicago’s public enemies,” strolled out of the Court with the earlier threats of what would be done to him if apprehended by authorities, quite unfilled.