“I hate stupidity in myself and others.” -Brewster

o Had 5 daughters (4 before crime, 1 after) o Was the youngest of 5 o Mother died in childbirth o Was raised by his widowed aunt and bachelor uncle o Went to school in a one room school house o Father forbid him from attending high school o Had a genius iq o Read the dictionary and encyclopedia for fun o Contracted Rheumatic fever before attempting to leave to serve in the Army during WW2 o Raised fighting chickens and fought them in all 50 states o Got a high school diploma in jail o Worked as a law clerk after parole o Was a well known Union Representative

CrimeDate(s)LocationVictim(s)Punishment 2 nd Degree Murder* Nov. 19, 1953 Sewickley, PA John Dziekonski 8-16 years Multiple Misdemeanors** (Considered Parole Violations) MultiplePA/WV/OH/ VA N/A~ 10 years (Off of original 8-16 year sentence) *2 nd Degree Murder- “1) an intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned, nor committed in a reasonable "heat of passion"; or 2) a killing caused by dangerous conduct and the offender's obvious lack of concern for human life” **Misdemeanors- “a minor wrongdoing”

 The murder was played off as a “robbery gone wrong”  Was supposedly “filling in” for the original collector of money  Was doing a “favor” for the mafia  No one would admit to police their ties to organized crime, hence his short prison sentence “The Untold Story” Other guy (Eugene Walls) was convicted of 1 st degree murder* and was sentenced to life in prison! * 1 st degree Murder- “the killing of another human being under conditions specifically covered in law. In the U.S., special statutory definitions include murder committed with malice aforethought, characterized by deliberation or premeditation or occurring during the commission of another serious crime, as robbery or arson”

 Stolen car used as a get away in murder was found  Witness named him  Confesses to being there- but claims he was drunk on wine  Gun used was in his name  Spotted buying gas in stolen car

 8-16 years (1955)  Served in Allegheny County Workhouse  Was given parole after 1/3 rd of sentence was served

I believe that my criminal falls under the anomie theory. I think this because he was trying to raise a healthy family, 4 kids and a wife, at the time and could simply just not make ends meet. He had suffered many downfalls in his childhood- his mother dying, and his father disliking him. I believe those childhood problems pushed him into the wrong crowd: the mafia. He was trying to raise his family and make money through legitament means and was offered an easier way in a time of struggle. Even though he knew the crime was wrong, and even later admits to the crime, he took the opportunity in a time of weakness. Claiming he was drunk when he accepted the offer and simply not admitting to his mafia ties was what got him a light sentence in his struggle. His “norms” would be considered weak because of his broken childhood and alcoholism. He directly fits the anomie theory by being exactly like our example of blue hoodie guy; he tried to meet his goals in legal manners but when he could not he accept an illegal offer.

 Books: Crimetown U.S.A.: The History of the Mahoning Valley Mafia: Organized Crime Activity in Ohio's Steel Valley TV shows and Movies: None