Felix Szczesny — homicide, Jersey City (1926)

JERSEY CITY, Oct. 11. (AP)—While detectives kept vigil today at a certain room in a sordid section of Brooklyn, N.Y., hoping a murderer would come home, Hudson county was also scoured for “Joe,” sometimes known as “Tony.”

Joe stabbed Felix Suzczesny fatally last night and then plunged his knife into Andrew Zuilkowski. Whereupon he fled, and the few frightened men and women police questioned could not even give his full name.

The three men drank together in a Steuben street speakeasy. Joe refused to pay for his “round,” police were informed.

Mrs. Sophia Rodziewicz, tending bar threw them out. Then the stabbing took place. Felix lived nine hours; Andrew probably will recover.

Police raided the place a few hours later and arrested Sophia’s husband, John, on a charge of selling liquor. They also seized a varied assortment of the beverages the men had been quaffing.

Ralph Bruinaldo, known in police circles are “Joe the Wop,” a car repairman of 329 East Twelfth Street, New York City, is being sought by the police of the metropolitan section in connection with the death of Felix Suzezesny, 39, of 160 Steuben Street, who was stabbed by the Italian, during a drunken brawl early this morning.

Another victim of “Joe’s” knife, which terminated the home-brew fight, is Andrew Zuilkowski, 50, the dead man’s step-brother, who is lying under guard at the City Hospital today with a knife wound over his heart. Hospital authorities say he will recover.

“Joe’s” arrest is expected momentarily and police are maintaining a watch not only over his own home in New York, but over the homes of his friends and haunts that police have learned are frequented by the stocky little Italian.

Has 7 Children

Police who visited the Bruinaldo home in New York this morning found that the has a wife and 7 children. She told the police her spouse left home early yesterday morning and had not returned. Apprised of her husband’s actions, Mrs. Bruinaldo broke down and sobbed while the brood of youngsters clung to her.

That bootleg whiskey played the leading part in the tragic death of Suzczesny and the stabbing of his stepbrother, the police say there is no question. The brawl, Zuilkowski admits, in a statement to the police, centered on the question of whose turn it was to buy a drink for the trio.

The affray occurred in front of the Steuben Street address and the police who later raided the place found the Hobart Act had been violated.

Suzczesney died at 3:05 this morn-. . .

Continued on Last Page, This Section—see Man Slain in “Tiger” Row below for the completed sentence and remainder.

Ralph Bruinaldo, known in police circles as “Joe the Wop,” a car repairman of 329 East Twelfth Street, New York City, is being sought by the police of the metropolitan section in connection with the death of Felix Suzczesny, 39, of 160 Steuben Street, who was stabbed by the Italian, during a drunken brawl early this morning.

Another victim of “Joe’s” knife, which terminated the home-brew fight, is Andrew Zuilkowski, 50, the dead man’s step-brother, who is lying under guard at the City Hospital today with a knife wound over his heart. Hospital authorities say he will recover.

“Joe’s” arrest is expected momentarily and police are maintaining watch not only over his own home in New York, but over the homes of his friends and haunts that police have learned are frequented by the stocky little Italian.

Has 7 Children

Police who visited the Bruinaldo home in New York this morning found that the has a wife and 7 children. She told the police her spouse left home early yesterday morning and had not returned. Apprised of her husband’s actions, Mrs. Bruinaldo broke down and sobbed while the brood of youngsters clung to her.

That bootleg whiskey played the leading part in the tragic death of Suzczesny and the stabbing of his stepbrother, the police say there is no question. The brawl, Zuilkowski admits, in a statement to the police, centered on the question of whose turn it was to buy a drink for the trio.

The affray occurred in front of the Steuben Street address and police who later raided the place found the Hobar Act had been violated.

Continued under Man Slain in “Tiger” Row below.

Suzczesney died at 3:05 this morning of knife wounds in the groin and over the heart.

“Joe the Wop” is a man of mystery in the Steuben Street neighborhood where he first appeared several weeks ago and which he had been haunting ever since. Although many had talked with him and many others drank with him, few could be found who knew his name. A rumor that he worked for the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Company was investigated by the police, who also learned that he had a home in New York.

The double stabbing occurred last night at 6:30 In front of a candy and grocery store at 160 Steuben Street which police charge, is a “speak-easy,” the place being raided later in the evening and the proprietor arrested for violation of the State prohibition law.

Felix, Andrew, and “Joe,” believed to have been on a drinking bout in celebration of their newly formed friendship, entered the store in the building in which the two Poles live. After several round of home-brew had passed over the mouths and down the throats of the trio, the Poles said it’s “your move” to the Italian, suggesting that he buy the next round of drinks. And then the fight started, hostilities being commenced by “Joe” who did not at all agree that he should play host. He started striking left and right with his fists and uttering a torrent of accusations according to the store proprietor who heard from several sources and later placed fugitive.

Woman Tends Bar.

Mrs. Sophia Rodziewicz as the story goes, was standing behind the bar and dispensing liquors. Her husband, John Rodziewicz, [remainder of paragraph illegible.]

According to the story of Adam Kowalski, also of 160 Steuben street, who is held as an eyewitness of the murder and assault, the Italian whipped out [illegible] knife and plunged it into Felix’s groin, withdrawing it to stab him again over his heart. Turning the attack [illegible] Andrew, [illegible] the weapon into the terrified man’s body directly over the heart.

The assailant immediately fled clinching the knife.

Kowalski sent his young son to summon a policeman while he hurried to telephone for an ambulance from City Hospital. Dr. Pappe, who arrived on the emergency call, gave the writhing men first aid treatment, after which they were taken to the hospital in the ambulance.

Detectives were severly hampered in their investigation by the inability of the men to give coherent answers. Felix did not fully regain consciousness up to the time of his death, and although Andrew was reported this morning as resting as comfortably as could be expected, his physical condition made rigid questioning impossible.

Kowalski, who volunteered as an eye witness of the double stabbing, claims to know nothing of events leading up to the crime. He was in the street during the row inside the store.

Last night at 10 o’clock Sergeant Steinmetz and Patrolman Riccardi, both of the Grand Street station, raided the store at the scene of the killing and arrested John Rodziewicz, 50, a Pole, for violation of the State Prohibition Law. He was later released under $500 bonds furnished by a bonding company. The policemen removed from the store the following contraband goods: twelve and one half gallons of alcohol in cans, twelve cans of malt syrup, two quarts of port wine, one quart of syrup, one bag of small hops, and a half bottle of liquor.

Immediately after the stabbings an alarm and description of “Joe” was sent from police headquarters to the police of Bayonne, Newark, Hoboken, Union City, North Bergen, and throughout Hudson County. The alarm stated that he was wanted for atrocious assault and battery. This as changed this morning to murder. The description was as follows: “5'5" tal; forty years old, reddish complexion, heavy build; wearing a gray top-coat, tan shoes, and no hat; answers to names Joe and Tony.”

Those investigating the affair are inspector Daniel Casey, Captain John Torpey, Captain Charles Wilson, Captain Kelly, and every available detective.

After a hurried search of the Brooklyn slums and two subsequent all-night vigils on East Twelfth Street, Manhattan, a corps of detectives from Jersey City police headquarters supplemented by New York policeman are still planted about the home of Ralph Bruinaldo of 329 East Twelfth Street, known as “Joe the Wop,” who is wanted here for the murder Sunday night of Felix Suzcesny, 30 of 160 Steuben Street.

Felix and Andrew Zuilkowski, 50, of 160 Steuben Street, were stabbed by the Italian during a drunken brawl in front of their homes following an argument about who should buy their drinks.

Andrew, who is suffering from a knife wound over his heart was said at the City Hospital last night in be recovering. Felix died there at 3:30 yesterday morning of knife wounds in his groin and over his heart.

Besides watching the fugitive’s home for his possible return, the policemen are searching a number of places he was reputed to frequent.

The body of the dead Pole was removed yesterday morning from the hospital to Blacker’s Morgue, at 415 Jackson Avenue, but was claimed later in the day by the dead man’s wife, Mrs. Klora Suzczesny.

Rafael Crimaldo, alias “Ralph Bruinaldo,” known in police circles as “Joe the Wop,” who stabbed Felix Suzczesny of 160 Steuben Street fatally and seriously wounded Andrew Zuilkowski, his stepbrother, in a drunken brawl in front of the dead man’s home last Sunday night, was brought back to Jersey City early this morning from Carthage, N.Y., by Lieutenant Charles Ballerine and Detective John O’Neill of the local headquarters staff.

“Joe’s” arrest is considered one of the outstanding bits of police work in recent months and Captain Charles Wilson of the Grand Street Police Station and Acting Inspector John Torpey of the Detective Bureau were loud in the praise for the efficient work of Ballerine and O’Neil.

The stocky little Italian, following the commission of the crimes, immediately fled the city. For three days his whereabouts were a mystery. Captain Charles Wilson with his staff of detectives, aided by men from headquarters, searched his local haunts and the homes of his friends.

ALLEGED KILLER IS CAPTURED

(Continued)

Lieutenant Ballerine and O’Neill had “planted” in front of Crimaldo’s home at 329 East Twelfth Street, New York City, and carefully watched the movements of his wife and seven children. Early yesterday morning a telegraph messenger approached the Crimaldo home. He hardly reached the doorstep when the two lead detectives questioned him.

The boy produced a telegram sent from Carthage, N.Y., which read, “Uncle at Ceasar’s home.”

Ballerine immediately informed Captain Torpey who rushed the two sleuths to Carthage.

Upon arrival at the New York town the detectives found that “Caesar’s place” was quite some distance from the town and in a deserted, out-of-the-way section. They arrived at the place and found that “Joe” was not around. Through the conversation of “Caesar’s” family, in Italian, Lieutenant Ballerine learned that “Joe” was somewhere in the vicinity; so he and O’Neill started a search of the woods near the home. A short distance from “Caesar’s” home they accosted their man walking along a lonely road. Surprised at the appearance of the plain-clothes men “Joe” at first denied his identity until Lieutenant Ballerine noted teh scratches on his face and accused him of receiving them in the brawl last Sunday night. Then “Joe” broke down and confessed, the police say.

Claims Self Defense

Questioned by Captains Torpey and Wilson today, “Joe” admitted he had stabbed one man but denied he had stabbed two. His version of the affair to the police was that when he refused to buy his Polish friends a drink in the Steuben Street “speak-easy” they pounced on him and he drew a knife in self-defense. He said he was not aware that Suzczesny had died from his wounds.

Police believe, however, that he had been apprised of the death of his victim through some underground channel.

Andrew Zuilkowski, 50, of 160 Steuben Street, the dead man’s step-brother, was said last night at City Hospital to be slowly recovering from a knife wound over his heart, said to have been inflicted by “Joe” when he resented the suggestion of the two Poles that he pay for a round of drinks for the trio.

According to the police, “Joe” left the city immediately after he fled from the scene of the crime, leaving behind only his hat. Many in the Steuben Street house knew the Italian but were ignorant of his correct name. A rumor soon came from one of his acquaintances that he worked as a car inspector in the yards of the Hudson and Manhattan company.

Detective Captain Michael Kelly tracked down this lead and found that the man was employed by the road. Three New York and one Brooklyn addresses were on the card, and detectives were immediately detailed to cover each one. The places have been watched day and night from that time till yesterday afternoon when news of the capture was received at police headquarters.

Soon after the double stabbing a rumor in the effect that the fugitive was seen walking in Henderson Street was proved false. Every tube car laid up in the railroad yards was searched by Captain Kelly and his assistants until 5 a.m. Monday in guard against the possibility of the man’s having hidden in one of them.

Acting Inspector John Torpey and Captain Charles Wilson of the Grand Street station also directed the search. Men from both headquarters and the First Precinct were used in tracking the fugitive.

Ralph Grimaldo, 46, of 329 East Twelfth Street, New York City, known as Ralph Bruinaldo, “Bannana” and “Joe the Wop,” who stabbed to death Felix Suzczesny of 160 Steuben Street and seriously wounded Andrew Zuilkowski, his stepbrother, during a drunken brawl last Sunday night, is shown between his captors, Detective John O’Neill and Lieutenant Charles Ballerine in Jersey City headquarters following his capture in a lonely spot near Carthage, N.Y., where the slayer had sought refuge.

“Joe” fled the city following the commission of the crimes and for three days the local police searched for him. Ballerine and O’Neill got a tip on his whereabouts when they intercepted a telegram “Joe” had sent to his wife at the Twelfth Street address in New York.

The slayer was held without bail for the Grand Jury this morning when he was arraigned before Judge William V. O’Driscoll In the Second Criminal Court.

Commissioner Beggans today sent a letter to Chief Buttersby expressing himself as being much pleased with the work of Inspector Daniel Casey, Lieutenant Charles Ballarene and Detective John O’Neill in clearing up the killing of Felix Scecensy and the atrocious assault made on Andrew Zuilkowski by Ralph Grimaldo, of 329 East Twelfth Street, New York, during a drunken brawl at 160 Steuben Street, early on the morning of Oct. 11 last. Zuilkowski is still confined to the City Hospital as a result of severe stab wounds inflicted by Grimaldo during the fracas in which Scecernsy was killed.

Grimaldo escaped after the assault and killing, but after much diligent search on the part of Inspector Casey, Lieut. Ballerene and Detective O’Neill, it was learned that Grimaldo had made his way to Carthage, a small town in northern New York State on the edge of the Adirondack wilderness.

Lieut. Ballarene and Detective O’Neil went to Carthage and after much difficulty located Grimaldo hiding in a patch of woods about a mile from the town and affected his arrest. Grimalso offered no resistance to the officers, who were aided by Chief of Police Andies, of Carthage, in the capture of the fugitive.

Commissioner Beggans has already dispatched a letter of thanks to the Carthage police official for his aid in bringing Grimaldo to justice.

Commissioner Beggans, in his letter to Chief Battersby, characterizes the work of the officers as “splendid” and commends them for their “initiative, determination and quick wittedness.”

The Comissioner’s letter in part follows:

“Through the exercise of much patience and determination, a clue to Grimaldo’s whereabouts was discovered by the above named officers who, after an all night ride to Carthage, a town not farm from the Canadian border, succeeded in capturing the fugitive, who had taken refuge in the woods on the edge of the town, Grimaldo made a complete confession of the murder and atrocious assault.

“The work performed by these officers is an example of the kind which has kept crimes of violence at a minimum in our city and I want to heartily congratulate them for their very high standard of efficiency in this particular case, as well as in other cases in which they have been involved during their connection with the police department.

“You will please broadcast my pleasure at the work of these officers to the members of the police department in the form of a general order.”

Ralph Grimaldi is charged with stabbing and killing Felix Scezesny, 50, at 160 Steuben Street, in a drinking bout in a Steuben Street speak-easy several weeks ago, now stands indicted for murder. This is one of a batch of about thirty bills presented by the September Term Grand Jury to Judge Robert V. Kinkead yesterday.

Grimaldi, known in police circles as “Joe the Wop”, lived with is wife and seven children in New York. He was employed by the Hudson & Manhattan R.R. Co. as a car repairman.

Early on the morning of the murder, according to the police version of the story, he went to the Scezesny’s home and engaged with Scezesny and another man of Polish descent in a drinking fest. An argument arose over whose turn it was to buy a drink. Scezesny’s wife forced the trio out of the place when the commotion started. Once on the street the altercation terminated in blows and Grimaldi is alleged to have flashed a knife, mortally wounding Scezesny and stabbing the other man.

Grimaldi fled from the scene of the crime and kept in hiding for more than a week, but was later captured by Lieutenant Charles Ballerine and Detective John O’Neil of the local detective bureau, when they found him in hiding in a deserted section of upper New York State.

The indictment against Grimaldi presented in the Court, Oyer and Terminer was the only one for murder. The others were for atrocious assault and battery and offenses of minor nature. Assistant Prosecutor Louis J. Messano presented the indictments with Foreman Dr. David Pindar.

Ralph Grimaldi, known in police circles as “Joe the Wop,” charged with the murder of Felix Scezesny, 50, of 150 Steuben Street, last October, did not go to trial this morning as scheduled because of the death of Assistant County Physician Delahunt this morning. Dr. Delahunt performed the autopsy upon Scezesny.

When Assistant Prosectutor Aloysius McMahon learned of the death of Dr. Delahunt he requested an indefinite postponement of the case in order to allow time for the prosecution to prespare its case.

Because he became embroiled in an argument as to who should buy the next drink in a Steuben Street “speak-easy,” Ralph Grimaldi, known in police circles as “Joe the Wop,” will stand trial March 30 for murder, following the death of Felix Scezesny, 39, of 160 Steuben Street.

The Prosecutor’s office originally set Grimaldi’s murder trial for March 14, but because former Congressman James A. Hamill was engaged elsewhere the case was put over until March 28 and again deferred until the 30th.

Grimaldi was employed as a car repairer for the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad. After he stabbed his drinking companion early the morning last October he fled from the scene of the crime at 160 Steuben Street, but through the sleuthing of Lieut. Charles Ballerine and Detective John O’Neill was traced to a small town in upper New York State, where he was nabbed and extradited to this State.

The accused man with some of his companions was in the speak-easy and an argument arose over whose turn it was to buy a drink. When the words became heated they were ejected from the place. They continued the argument on the sidewalk, where Grimaldi was supposed to have pulled a knife from his pocket and with it stabbed Scezesny, who died in the City Hospital the following day.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Aloysius McMahon, with Assistant Prosecutors Lewis G. Hansen and Eric Jentz, will present the State’s case of murder against Grimaldi in Oyer & Terminer.

Refusal of Felix Scezesny to buy a round of drinks in a Steuben Street speakeasy last October caused his death, Andrew Zulkowski, 50, of 160 Steuben Street, testified this afternoon.

Zulkowski is star State witness at the trial for murder of Ralph Grimaldi, of New York on a charge of fatally stabbing Scezesny and stabbing Zulkowski also.

The State may complete its case late this afternoon, but the trial in Oyer and Detminer will continue tomorrow. Grimaldi, known as “Joe the Wop” was employed as a car repairman by the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad.

Trial of the accused man for murder began today before Judge Robert V. Kinkead and a special panel of veniremen with Chief Assistant Prosecutor Aloysius McMamon and Assistant Prosecutor Lewis G. Hansen presenting the State’s case and former Congressman James A. Hamill conducting the defense.

ALLEGED KILLER ON TRIAL TODAY

(Continued)

Early on the morning of the murder, the State claims, he went to the home of Scezesny and engaged with him and another man of Polish descent in a drinking bout.

An argument arose over whose turn it was to purchase a drink and when the words became loud Scezesny’s wife forced the trio out of the house and the commotion began in the street. Once on the street the argument developed into blows and Grimaldi is alleged to have flashed a knife mortally wounding Scezesny and stabbing the other man, Andrew Zulowski, 50, of 160 Steuben Street.

Grimaldi fled the scene of the crime and kept in hiding for more than a week, but was later captured by Lieutenant Charles Ballerine and Detective John O’Neill of the Jersey City Deterctive Bureau. They found him in a deserted section of upper New York State. He was taken into custody and extradited to New Jersey and has been in the County Jail awaiting trial.

JERSEY CITY, April 13. (AP)—When the jury today took the case of Ralph Grimaldi, on trial for murder, the state did not ask for conviction in the first degree, as charged in the indictment.

Assistant Prosecutor McMahon indicated that the stabing to death of Felix Scezesny after a drunken quarrel was manslaughter if criminal at all. The prisoner’s wife and seven children waited in court.

Ocean county’s new county judge, Arthur Gallagher, was on the bench with Judge Kinkead to observe Hudson practices.

A verdict of manslaughter carrying with it a sentence of from 10 to 20 years was this afternoon returned by a jury in Oyer and Terminer against Ralph Grimaldi, who for the past two days has been on trial for the killing of Felix Scezesny of 160 Steuben Street. The jury retired at 11:30 and the verdict was arrived at two hours later. This was transmitted to the court when court reconvened at 2 o’clock.

Judge Robert V. Kinkead presided, while the State’s case was handled by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Aloysius McMahon and Assistant Prosecutor Eric Jentz. Former Congressman James A. Hamill and Thomas Tumulty defended Grimaldi.

Judge Kinkead today charged the Jury. Present with Judge Kinkead on the bench was Ocean County’s new Judge, Arthur Gallagher, who is spending the day with Judge Kinkead in court to look in on how the county courts are handled here.

Grimaldi’s case closed late yesterday when the defense put on its last witness to show Grimaldi’s innocence. He himself, on the stand, admitted that on the evening of October 10, last, after he had bought a couple of rounds of drinks in a candy store at 160 Steuben Street, an argument arose as to who should buy the net round, and that a fight ensued which was continued on the street, and that he took his penknife from his pocket and stabbed--he did not know how many people.

He showed, through the interpreter, that he was fighting for his life when the man now dead and others set upon him in the street and began to beat him. The State, however, tried through its witnesses, to show that there was no provocation for Grimaldi’s act and that it was he and not his victim or assailants that were the aggressors.

For stabbing Felix Szczesny, 39, of 160 Steuben Street, to death, October 10, when Felix refused to buy a drink, Ralph Grimaldi, 47, of 329 East Twelfth Street, New York, today was sentenced by County Judge Kinkead to serve 10 years at hard labor in State’s Prison.

Grimaldi was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury last week. He has a wife and seven children, ranging in age from 2 to 16 years.

Mrs. Grimaldi and the oldest child, a girl, wept when sentence was pronounced.

Ralph Grimaldo, 47, of 329 East 12th st., who pleaded guilty to manslaughter last week before Judge Kinkead in Jersey City, was yesterday sentenced to ten years in prison. Grimaldo, father of seven children, admitted stabbing Felix Suezznesy of 160 Steuben st., Jersey Citty [sic], to death in a saloon brawl.