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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.
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, often foreign-born, were the targets. The killers were apparently motivated by robbery, though in a few cases no signs of robbery were found.
 
Five African Americans 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 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]].
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]].
==Incidents==
===1919===
* [[November 28]]: [[G. T. Ary]] was robbed and killed.
* [[December 24]]: [[John Belser]] was robbed and killed.
===1921===
* [[December 21]]: [[Joseph Mantione]] and his wife were robbed and killed.
* December 21: [[Mose Parker]] was robbed and killed.
===1922===
* [[January 11]]: [[Clem Crawford]] and his wife were robbed and killed.
* [[June 3]]: One of three members of the Lucia family died following an attack on their shop.
* [[November 6]]: [[Abraham Levine]] was robbed and killed.
===1923===
* [[January 10]]: [[Joseph Klein]] was robbed and killed.
* [[January 24]]: [[Luigi Vitellaro|Luigi]] and [[Josephine Vitellaro]] were robbed and killed.
* [[May 28]]: [[Charles Graffeo]]<!--17th death, 35th victim--> was robbed and killed in his store. It appeared as if the attacker had come in and placed a nickel on the counter to purchase a bottle of oil. Graffeo was found behind the counter with his skull crushed by the blow of an axe. His pockets and the store's register had been rifled.
* [[October 22]]: [[Elizabeth Romeo]]<!--20th death, 38th victim--> and her daughter, [[Juliet Vigilante]], were robbed and killed at [[Bernard Vigilante]]'s shop. The attacker used a meat cleaver and stole $60 from the cash register.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 10:56, 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, often foreign-born, were the targets. The killers were apparently motivated by robbery, though in a few cases no signs of robbery were found.

Five African Americans 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.

Incidents

1919

1921

1922

1923

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
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