Morris Packing Co. Robbers Caught

21-year old Charles Merrell had already served a term in the Missouri Penitentiary for stealing a car in Scotland County, when he got the idea to hold up the Morris Packing Company on Saturday, अप्रैल 22, 1922. Merrell could not pull the job by himself, so he recruited another ex-convict, 33-year-old Hugh Pinkley.

Merrell was employed as a mechanic at Manly’s Garage, 3144 ईस्टन एवेन्यू. For some reason, Merrell recruited his employer to drive the getaway car. Merrell’s inability to keep his mouth shut would lead to his arrest for the double murder of two St. लुई पुलिस अधिकारी. Merrell’s decision to include Robert Manly on his holdup crew led to his eventual conviction.

Manly was a skilled driver. After the attempted holdup, Manley escaped the area in a northeast direction before he drove back west to Page and N. Spring Avenues. The men abandoned the green Paige automobile used in the robbery and switched to a car from Manly’s garage, which they staged earlier. Manly had a clean criminal record prior to the robbery. As later events would show, Manly struggled to deal with the murder of the two police officers.

Police immediately suspected Hugh Pinkley of the robbery. सेंट. Louis Police arrested him but released him, when his story seemed to check out.

तथापि, Charles Merrell began bragging to a local girl about the “fine shooting” और “two pretty shots” he made during the robbery. The girl reported his comments to the St. लुई पुलिस.

Detective Sergeant Collard and a squad of detectives from the Newstead Street Station arrested Merrell at his home, 1329 एन. Vandeventer Avenue. The officers then arrested Manly and Pinkley at Manly’s Garage.

मेरेल और Pinkley उद्दंड थे, लेकिन मैनली जल्दी से अपराध में उसकी हिस्सा की बात स्वीकार की,,en,मैनली जासूस Hoagland और सर्किट अटार्नी Sidener के मुख्य करने के लिए स्वीकार किया कि उन्हें छुट्टी कार चलाई,,en,मैनली कहा Pinkley मूल रूप से वाहन में रहने के लिए जा रहा था और डकैती में भाग लेने के लिए अनिच्छुक थे,,en,मेरेल कहा,,en,चलो,,fr,गुलाबी,,en,हरी Paige से बाहर हो रही के बाद,,en,Pinkley,,lt,जो भी लैस था,,en,मेरेल शामिल हो गए और मॉरिस पैकिंग कंपनी में प्रवेश किया,,en,मैनली ब्लॉक के चारों ओर चलाई,,en,वह पैकिंग कंपनी के सामने एक जगह में लौटे,,en,वह मेरेल और Pinkley द्वारा अधिकारियों की हत्या मनाया,,en,केवल सेंट,,en,लुई अधिकारी लुइस आयोजित मुठभेड़ बच गया,,en,आयोजित सोचा था कि वह मारा अपराधियों में से एक,,en,सही साबित हुई आयोजित,,en,जब एक चरने घाव Pinkley की पिंडली पर पाया गया था,,en. Manly admitted to Chief of Detectives Hoagland and Circuit Attorney Sidener that he drove the getaway car. Manly said Pinkley originally was going to stay in the vehicle and was reluctant to take part in the robbery. तथापि, Merrell said, “C’mon, Pink” after getting out of the green Paige. Pinkley, who was also armed, joined Merrell and entered the Morris Packing Company.

Manly drove around the block. When he returned to a spot in front of the Packing Company, he observed the slaughter of the officers by Merrell and Pinkley. Only St. Louis Officer Louis Held survived the gunfight. Held thought he hit one of the criminals. Held proved to be right, when a graze wound was found on Pinkley’s shin.

Manly seemed relieved to make his confession. He reported having difficulty sleeping since the robbery. Merrell had suspected Manly was weakening. Merrell invited Manly to take part in some target shooting in St. चार्ल्स. Manly wisely declined as he was likely to be one of the targets.

एक सेंट. Louis Jury convicted Merrell and Pinkley for the murders of St. Louis Police Officers Michael “Big Mike” O’Connor and Bernard C. Mengel. Despite several attempts to appeal, Charles Merrell and Hugh Pinkley were hung at the St. Louis City Jail on July 18, 1924. Both men suffered broken necks besides being strangled with the ropes.

Robert Manly’s fate is less clear but it appears he received leniency based on his confession. Manly’s information was critical to the conviction of the two killers.

Do you think Manly should have received leniency? क्यों या क्यों नहीं? You can leave a comment or ask a question about this or any post on my Facebook page और Twitter profile.

Sources: सेंट. लुई पोस्ट डिस्पैच, मई 20, 1922 edition, सेंट. Louis Star and Times, मई 20, 1922 edition and Missouri Death Certificate Database.

Pin It