Tuesday, April 07, 2009

The Bizarre Killing of Michael Malloy


Ever hear the depression-era story about the killing of one Michael Malloy in the Bronx? I hadn't either until I came across the book "On The House" by Simon Read. I just finished the book and I'm praying that someone out there will make poor Malloy's story into a movie. Last checked, Harvey Keitel was putting a movie together about the bizarre incident titled "Murder Trust."

The movie could easily be called The Man of Steel or The Man Who Wouldn't Die. The book was full of facts straight from the trial transcripts. With so many characters with similar names and all, it was a bit confusing to stick with, but the craziness of it all kept me reading. It was just too unbelievable to believe it happened. The arresting police and D.A. had a hard time believing it.

The story goes like this; A few low life criminals in a depression era speakeasy come up with the idea of bumping off some poor slob after taking out an insurance policy on him, figuring they'd collect the dough once he's dead. Just so happens there's a poor alcoholic slob that frequents the joint and he just so happens to be at the bar piss drunk when the idea is hatched. Its all one drawn out Bronx tale of a farce from there.

Though the book was semi-amusing, a movie with the right characters and bronx accents would drive it home. Also, I think after 75 years Michael Malloy deserves some honorary medal for his "man of steel" refusal to succumb to the murderous antics of the gang newspapers dubbed "Murder Trust."

The Story:

In January of 1933, a group called the Murder Trust tried to kill a vagrant by the name of Michael Malloy. Already, you can tell this story is going to be awesome.

The Murder Trust (consisting of Tony Marino, Joseph Murphy, Francis Pasqua, Hershey Green, and Daniel Kriesburg) took out life insurance policies on Malloy. If he died, they were going to gain over $3,500. They gave Malloy an unlimited tab at Marino's speakeasy, hoping he would drink himself to death. Malloy proved resistant to the killing effects of the demon rum. Every night, he would come in, drink until he passed out, and return the next night. Malloy's unlimited appetite was in danger of bankrupting the speakeasy, so the Murder Trust decided to up the ante. They began to serve him anti-freeze, turpentine, horse linament, and rat poison. They made him eat a sandwich of spoiled fish, nails, and metal shavings, but Malloy still continued to be invulnerable.

One night, the Trust decided to get serious. After Malloy passed out, they stripped him, carried him outside, dumped five gallons of water on his chest, and left him to freeze. On the night in question, it was a nippy -14 degrees Fahrenheit. Malloy still didn't die. Growing desperate, the Trust decided to run him over with a taxi. They hit him at 45 miles per hour and drove off. Unbeknownst to the Trust, Malloy was not dead; he was merely hospitalized for three weeks, with a concussion and some broken bones.

Three weeks later, he showed up at the speakeasy, looking for drinks. The Trust finally decided to finish the job. After Malloy passed out from drink on February 22, they took him to Murphy's room and stuck a hose connected to a gas jet in his mouth. Malloy finally died. The Trust was arrested. Green went to prison, and the other members were executed at Sing Sing.

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