Rosenthal murder case
Encyclopedia
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
and members of the Lenox Avenue Gang
Lenox Avenue Gang
The Lenox Avenue Gang was an early 20th century New York City street gang led by Harry Horowitz, and was one of the most violent gangs of the pre-Prohibition era.-History:...
. The trial ran from October 7, 1912 to October 30, 1912 and restarted on May 2, 1914 to May 22, 1914. Other procedural events took place in 1915.
History
On July 16, 1912, Herman Rosenthal walked out of the Hotel MetropoleHotel Metropole (New York)
The Hotel Metropole was the first hotel in New York City that had running water in every room. Located at 147 West 43rd Street just off Times Square, the hotel had a list of notable residents including Nick Arnstein and Western lawman turned sports writer Bat Masterson.In the early morning hours...
at 147 West 43rd Street, just off Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
. He was gunned down by a crew of Jewish gangsters from the Lower East Side, Manhattan
Lower East Side, Manhattan
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
. In the aftermath, Manhattan District Attorney
New York County District Attorney
The New York County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for New York County , New York. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws....
Charles S. Whitman
Charles S. Whitman
Charles Seymour Whitman served as the 41st Governor of New York from January 1915 to December 1918. He was also a delegate to Republican National Convention from New York in 1916.-Biography:...
, who had made an appointment with Rosenthal before his death, made no secret of his belief that the gangsters had committed the murder at Charles Becker
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
's behest.
At first, John J. Reisler, also known as "John the barber," told the police that he'd seen "Bridgey" Webber running away from the crime scene directly following the killing. He recanted under duress from gangsters the next week, and was charged with perjury.
The investigation was covered on the front page of the New York Times for months. It was so complex that the NYPD recalled thirty retired detectives to help investigate; they were said "to know most of the gangsters." One of these old-timers, Detective Upton, formerly of the NYPD "Italian Squad," was instrumental in the July 25, 1912, arrest of "Dago" Frank Cirofici
Frank Cirofici
Francisco Cirofici aka Frank Murato aka Dago Frank was a New York City criminal, who along with Harry Horowitz, was responsible for the 16 July 1912 murder of the gambler Herman Rosenthal outside the Metropole Hotel. The murder was ordered by Charles Becker.-Biography:Cirofici was born in 1887 in...
, one of the suspected killers. He and his companion, Regina Gorden (formerly known as "Rose Harris"), were "so stupefied by opium that they offered no objection to their arrests," according to the New York Times.
People
- Charles BeckerCharles BeckerCharles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
(1870–1915), police officer involved in the murder, executed - Francisco Cirofici (1887–1912), aka Dago Frank, gunman who was executed
- Harry HorowitzHarry HorowitzHarry Horowitz , also known as Gyp the Blood, was a Jewish-American underworld figure and a leader of the Lenox Avenue Gang in New York City.-Biography:...
(1889–1914), aka Gyp the Blood, gunman who was executed - Whitey Lewis
- Martin Thomas Manton (1880–1946), Becker's lawyer at the trial.
- Sam PaulSam PaulSam Paul was an American gambler and underworld figure in New York City at the turn of the century. Founder of the Sam Paul Association, he was also a major political organizer for Tammany Hall.-Rosenthal case and before:...
(1874–1927), gambler and owner of the club at which the police first thought that the murder was planned. - Jacob A. Rich (1877-1938), also known as Jack Sullivan and Jacob A. Reich, testified for the defense.
- Jack RoseJack Rose (gambler)Jacob Rosenzweig was an American gambler and underworld figure in New York City. He was one of several star witnesses in the Becker-Rosenthal trial, among these being fellow gamblers Bridgie Webber, Harry Vallon, and Sam Schepps. Rose's testimony was the most damaging because he directly...
(1875-1947) gambler and informant who testified at the trial - Lefty Louis Rosenberg
- Herman Rosenthal, murdered gambler
- Sam ScheppsSam ScheppsSamuel Schepps , also known as Schapps, was a New York City mobster with the Monk Eastman Gang. Schepps ran gambling houses for Jack Zelig as part of his work with the gang.-Biography:...
(?–1936), also known as Schapps, mob informant who testified at the trial - Harry VallonHarry VallonHarry Vallon was a New York City gambler and mob informant.He turned state's evidence and testified against the gunman in the murder of Herman Rosenthal, and also against Charles Becker, under a promise of immunity from the district attorney. He testified as one of four mob informants, along with...
, mob informant who testified at the trial - Louis William Webber (1877–1936), aka Bridgie Webber, mob informant who testified at the trial
- Charles Seymour Whitman (1868–1947), district attorney
- Jack ZeligJack Zelig"Big" Jack Zelig was a Jewish American New York City gangster and one of the last leaders of the Monk Eastman Gang.-Early years & the Eastmans:...
(1888-1912), murdered before he could testify