The Murder of Joe Chirillo
The Murder
Description
At around 11pm, on June 8th, 1920, police were called to Mr. and Mrs. Chirillo's house after being told a murder had been committed. When questioned about her husbands death, Mrs. Chirillo explained that three men had shown up to their house earlier that night. She stated the men began to argue with her deceased husband and asked him to step outside. Once he refused they shot him in his house. Mrs. Chirillo claimed she had never before seen the third man of the group, who had fired the shot that killed her husband. The other two were identified as Antonio Dominici and John Carido (Joe Chirillo's brother in law). [1]
Police later discovered that four men had actually been involved in the crime. They had met at the home of Dominici and procedded to drive to Joe Chirillo's home. The two strangers were never identified by Dominici or Mrs. Chirillo.
Antonio Dominici had been arrested shortly after the crime by police and held for suspicion. He was located while attempting to board a train. John Cardio was never found.
The police came to the conclusion the murder had been committed out of jealousy over the marriage of Mrs. Chirillo and Mr. Chirillo.
Mr. and Mrs. Chirillo were married after the two had run away together to escape her previous marriage to Mr. Scale, leaving her two children. Many family members argued that Mrs. Chirillo actually ran away with Joe because she feared him. Mr. Scale later remarried Mrs. Chirillo's sister. [2]
Mrs. Chirillo's testimony also explained that after receiving some kind of information, Joe discovered his life was in danger. Which is why he refused to leave his house the night of his death.
Joe Chirillo's Violent Past
Joe Chirillo had been arrested previously for the murder of Nicolli Margosinni.[3] Police caught Joe a mile from the crime with a loaded gun. Some time after this, he and Mrs. Chirillo eloped. Detectives also discovered that Joe Chirillo was a feared man in the Italian colonies. Chirillo was said to have connections to black hand activities, including intimidation and past shootings. [4]
