Axe syndicate: Difference between revisions
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The '''axe murder gang''' was a group of | The '''axe murder gang''' was a group of people believed to have been responsible for a four-year spate of [[Birmingham homicides by year|brutal killings]] which started in November [[1919]] and ended in October [[1923]]. In most cases, small shop owners were the targets and the killers were apparently motivated by robbery. Five African American men were arrested by [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham Police]] on [[January 6]], [[1924]]. They were convicted after confessing to the eight murders, but three members of the gang were presumed to remain at-large. The killings did not continue. | ||
Accounts of the number of crimes committed by the gang vary, as to the lists of people killed or wounded in their attacks. ''The New York Times'' reported there had been 24 killed in 44 attacks, while the Birmingham papers counted only 15 dead and 13 wounded. | Accounts of the number of crimes committed by the gang vary, as to the lists of people killed or wounded in their attacks. ''The New York Times'' reported there had been 24 killed in 44 attacks, while the Birmingham papers counted only 15 dead and 13 wounded. | ||
The men convicted included Peyton Johnson, O'Delle | The men convicted included Peyton Johnson, O'Delle and Pearl Jackson, John Reed and Fred Glover. Their initial confessions were obtained after they were given doses of scopolomine, a purported "truth serum", but were confirmed after the effects of the drug wore off. Investigators described a "syndicate" of murderers who drew straws for the privilege of attacking selected targets. A man named Garfield was alleged to have founded the syndicate, but died of natural causes during [[1922]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:48, 11 February 2011
The axe murder gang was a group of people believed to have been responsible for a four-year spate of brutal killings which started in November 1919 and ended in October 1923. In most cases, small shop owners were the targets and the killers were apparently motivated by robbery. Five African American men were arrested by Birmingham Police on January 6, 1924. They were convicted after confessing to the eight murders, but three members of the gang were presumed to remain at-large. The killings did not continue.
Accounts of the number of crimes committed by the gang vary, as to the lists of people killed or wounded in their attacks. The New York Times reported there had been 24 killed in 44 attacks, while the Birmingham papers counted only 15 dead and 13 wounded.
The men convicted included Peyton Johnson, O'Delle and Pearl Jackson, John Reed and Fred Glover. Their initial confessions were obtained after they were given doses of scopolomine, a purported "truth serum", but were confirmed after the effects of the drug wore off. Investigators described a "syndicate" of murderers who drew straws for the privilege of attacking selected targets. A man named Garfield was alleged to have founded the syndicate, but died of natural causes during 1922.
References
- "'Truth Serum' Involves Five in Axe Murders, Clearing Up 44 Crimes in Birmingham, Ala." (January 1924) The New York Times
- "Ax Murders - Alabama" (December 11, 2006) at Serial Killer Central