Albert Leo Grossimon
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 24 Jul 1904 - , , Louisiana, USA
Christening:
Death: 17 Oct 1929 - Charity Hosiptal, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Burial: 19 Oct 1929 - St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Cause of Death: Gun shot wounds to Chest (lodged in lung) and leg
Parents
Father: Herbert Albert Grossimon
Mother: Mary Louisa Moynan
Notes
General:
Per 1910 US Census 4/18/1910 2633 Banks St, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
William L. Moynan is the 61 year old white male head of household, born in Louisiana, as were his parents. Working as a gas distributor for a gas company, he owns his home with a mortgage. His wife of 40 years is 58 year old Mary J. Moynan, born in Louisiana, her parents in Ireland.
38 year old son-in-law Albert Grossimon, is a 38 year old white male, born in Louisiana, his father in France, his mother in Louisiana. Albert works as a steamfitter for a plumber shop, but has been without work for 12 weeks. His wife, daughter of William, is 35 year old Mary Grossimon, born in Louisiana. They have been married 15 years. Their children, born in Louisiana are: 13 year old daughter Mary L Grossimon; 11 year old daughter Catherine Grossimon; 8 year old son Peter Grossimon; 5 year old son Albert Grossimon; and 1 year 11 month old daughter Elizabeth Grossimon.
Other children of William and Mary include: 32 year old daughter, Elizabeth Moynan, born in Ohio; 29 year old daughter, Catherine Moynan, born in Louisiana.
Per 1920 US Census January 1920 2637 Banks, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
Herbert Grossmon is the 47 year old white male head of household, who owns his home free of mortgage. Born in Louisiana, as were his parents, he works as a railroad clerk. His wife is 44 year old Mary Grossmon, born in Louisiana, as were her parents. There are 6 children, all born in Louisiana: 22 year old single daughter, Mae Grossmon, a clerk in a department store; 20 year old single daughter, Katie Grossmon, a saleslady in dry goods; 18 year old son, Peter Grossmon, a clerk in an insurance office; 15 year old son, Albert Grossmon, a student; 11 year old daughter, Lilie Grossmon, a student; and 6 year old daughter, Anna Grossmon, a student.
Living with the family is mother-in-law Mary Moynan, a 68 year old widow, born in Louisiana, as were her parents. Also 2 single sisters-in-laws born in Louisiana: 38 year old Lizzie Moynan, a forelady in a restaurant; and Katie Moynan, 34 years old.
Per Story in the State Times Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) October 9, 1929
ORLEANS BANDIT WOUNDS MAN IN DRUG STORE JOB
Brother of Proprietor in Serious Condition After Fight
COPS SPURRED BY LATEST ROBBERY
Officers Arrest Police Character for Three Toldups [that's what it says]
New Orleans, Oct 9. -- Police today took into custody in the shooting of Albert L Grossimon in one of three holdups by a lone bandit last night a well known police character. Grossimon was shot in the chest and the leg by the bandit in the raiding of the drug store of Grossimon's brother as he grappled with the invader. The wounded man was given a blood transfusion late last night and his condition today was reported slightly improved.
Meanwhile, police spurred by the latest additions to the long list of recent bandit depredations here, were combing the city for suspects. They were urged on by sharp warnings from Superintendent of Police Theodore Ray.
Late last night a lone holdup man, his face covered by a handerchief, and wearing a slough hat, entered the drug store at Lapeyrouse and North Miro streets, and commanded the eight persons therein, including a three year old child, not to move.
Peter Grossimon, proprietor of the store, dashed up a flight of rear stairs to his apartment on an upper floor, and the bandit, stepping over the proprietor's son Herbert, aged 3, who was playing on the floor, fired one shot at the fleeing man, but failed to hit him.
Albert Grossimon then grappled with the intruder, but the latter after a brief struggle, got one arm loose and fired two shots, both of which took effect, and ran out of the store, a moment later escaping in an automobile. He got no money.
In the establishment at the time were S. J. Wright, a pharmacist, Herbert Grossimon, 57, father of the brothers, Mrs. Peter Grossimon and her mother Mrs. E. Heornar.
Twenty minutes before the Grossimon attempted stick up, police later learned a man tallying with the drug store invader, leaped on the running board of a car operated by Eugene Taormina, 20, at Dumaine and Olga streets, and with a pistol forced Taormina to surrender the machine. By a license plat check, it was learned that the automobile used in the Grossimon attempted robbery was Taormina's.
And just 20 minutes after the shooting, a bandit of similar description, walked into the Childress Pharmacy on South pierce street, intimidated Harold Childress, 32, the proprietor and escaped with $39 from the cash register.
Per Story in the Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) October 10, 1929
HIKER IDENTIFIED IN HOLD-UP FREED ON PERFECT ALIBI
Good Samartin Who Gave Him 'Lift' Corroborates Suspect's Story
........................... [long story about Edward Krohn alabi] ....
Overlooks $15,000
Fifteen thousand dollars' worth of jewels were in the drug store of Peter Grossimon , when the bandit shot Albert Grossimon, in an apparent attempt to steal less than $75 from the store's cash register, it was learned Wednesday.
In his haste to obtain money from the register the bandit brushed quickly past Mrs. Peter Grossimon, on whose fingers were eleven diamonds, said to be worth $15,000.
Albert Grossimon and his father, Herbert Grossimon, it was learned, were paying a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Grossimon to see a new ring which was given the woman by her husband less than a month ago when the bandit entered and held them up.
Peter's dash through a rear door, which started the bandit firing, it is believed, was accentuated by a desire to protect his wife's jewelry. Albert, Peter's brother, was shot in a scuffle with the intruder while Peter attempted to get his pistol.
Apparently working on the theory that the drug store bandit's objective was to rob Mrs. Grossimon of her diamonds, police Wednesday night were said to be seeking a young police character suspected of participation in several jewel robberies.
Per Obituary in the Times-Picayune October 19, 1929
GROSSIMON -- On Thursday, October 17, 1929, at 10:30 o'clock a. m., ALBERT L. GROSSIMON, beloved son of Herbert Grossimon and Mary Louise Moynan, beloved brother of Mrs. A. Krepplen, Mrs. P. J. Navo, Peter Louise Grossimon, Lillie J. Grossimon and Anna M. Grossimon, aged 25 years, a native of this city.
Relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will take place from the late residence, 2633 Banks street, on Saturday, October 19, 1929, at 9:30 o'clock a. m. Mass at St. Joseph church at 10 o'clock.
Interment in St. Patrick's cemetery No. 1.
Per Story in the Times-Picayune November 5, 1929 Page 7
ROY MONTGOMERY BALKS AT BEING EYED AS BANDIT
.......... .......
Grossimon was hot October 8 in the drug store of his brother, Peter Grossimon, 28, 2139 Lapeyrouse street, when a lone bandit staged an attempted robbery. The youger Grossimon was shot twice and died October 17 in Charity hospital.
Per Story in the Times-Picayune May 22, 1930 Page 1
Montgomery Identified as Bandit Who Killed Grossimon in Hold-Up
Members of Victim's Family Take Witness Stand in Attempt to Send Gangster to Gallows
Identifying Roy Montgomery, gangster, as the "weaving, wild man" killer of Albert Leo Grossimon during the attempted hold-up of the Grossimon drug store last October, members of the Grossimon family took the witness stand Wednesday in the criminal district court in an endeavor to send the alleged bandit-slayer to the gallows.
Trial of Montgomery, a convicted bandit, went into its second day Wednesday in Judge N. H. Humphrey's section of the criminal court. District Attorney Eugene Stanley is demanding the death penalty for Montgomery for the murder October 8 of Grossimon.
Offering testimony almost word for word in similarity, Peter Grossimon, brother of the dead man; Herbert Grossimon the father, Mrs. Peter Grossimon and Mrs. E. Hoerner, mother-in-law of Peter testified that Montgomery is the "one and same man" who stalked inti the drug store at Miro and Lapeyrouse streets, attempted to hold up the place, and left after firing two fatal bullets into Albert Leo Grossimon.
Each witness, present during the attempted robbery, described the bandit as "the athletic type" and said a marked feature of the masked robber was that the leg muscles "protruded".
Forced to Show Legs
District Attorney Stanley, over the strenuous objection of Defense Attorneys G. Wray Gill and Warren M. Simon, had Montgomery roll his trouser legs above his knees and parade before the jury.
Attorney Gill objected on the grounds that the bandit, in staging the robbery, had not so appeared and that the compelling of Montgomery to exhibit his extraordinary muscular development was contrary to his consitutional rights. Judge Humphrey overruled the objection.
Dr. George Roeling, coroner, took the stand as first witness and said that Grossimon's death was caused by two gunshot wounds, one in the chest that lodged in the lung, the other in the right leg. Testimony showed that the bandit shot Grossimon as he lay writhing on the floor.
Charles R. Rowden, formerly of 3129 Layperouse street, a friend of the Grossimons, told of the attempted robbery.
Hold-Up Described
The bandit, he said, walked in waving an automatic, crying "Don't move, anyone, or I'll kill you."
As Peter Grossimon ran to a rear prescription room, two shots rang out. Albert fell to the floor and the bandit followed Peter. He banged against the prescription room door. Peter meanwhile wildly grabbing for his pistol.
The bandit then retreated and escaped in a car outside. Rowden identified Montgomery as the bandit and described the marked characteristic of the "protruding" leg muscles.
Peter Grossimon testified along the same lines.
He emphatically named Montgomery as the killer of his brother.
In like fashion Mrs. Peter Grossimon testified, as did Mrs. Hoerner. Each witness, in cross-examination by Mr. Gill, was asked if the bandit wore a tie and what was the color of his shoes. None could answer the question.
Witness Volunteers
When Mrs. Grossimon took the stand, she volunteered the information before it was asked, declaring she "didn't know whether he had a tie on or what the color of his shoes were."
She denied repeatedly to Mr. Gill having talked with any of the previous witnesses and declared she hadn't discussed the murder with any of her family since October 8.
Attorney Gill offered objections on the identification of Montgomery as it occurred several weeks after the killing in the grand jury room of the courthouse. Montgomery, after surrendering himself to parish authorities, was removed from the Parish Prison by the district attorney. The move, Mr. Gill asserted, was made without a court order, and any identification made at that time, he claims, was illegal. His objections were overruled.
Positive of Identity
Mrs. Hoerner testified in no uncertain terms that Montgomery could go to his death on the gallows as far as her testimony and identification was concerned. She said she believed him to be the bandit.
The father, Herbert, was equally strong in his assertions, and said he identified Montgomery ny the leg muscles and high cheek bones. The similarity between the bandit-slayer of his son and Montgomery was "perfect."
District Attorney Stanley, sided by his assistant, Chandler C. Luzenberg, Jr,m is expected to go into the balistic testimony today, seeking to prove that the gun which ended Grossimon's life was the same automatic alleged to have been taken from Montgomery on the night of a second hold-up weeks after the Grossimon killing. Montgomery escaped police, was later brought to trial and found guilty of the second robbery.
Defense Calls for Record
Two developments of importance came in the last half-hour before adjournment. The defense obtained a subpoena duces tecum from the court to require Police Chief Reyer to produce today cards relating to the arrest of three suspects, Claude Cefalu, Wilford Welchel and Edwin Krohn, two of whom had been identified as resembling the bandit by the dying man at Charity hospital. They were to be used in an effort to impeach the identifying witnesses.
Attorney Gill drew from Mrs. Grossimon an unqualified admission thet she could not identify, in any way, the policeman to whom Wright gave the exploded shells found in the store, although his face was not obscured, as in the case of the bandit.
Two members of the jury questioned the father closely about his identification of Montgomery, especially as to the circumstances in which Montgomery's police record card was picked out by him at the hospital. The witness finally declared he was not sure whether he or some other of those who had been in the store was the first to select the card.
Witness Positive
Consulting newspaper clippings he held in his hand, Gill demanded, in references to Cefalu and Krohm:
"Don't you know that these men went to the jail on your identification?"
"It was only a partial identification," returned the witness. "I said they looked like the bandit."
Pressing the witness, a little later, the attorney asked him:
"As a witness under oath, as a citizen and a gentleman, what you are really testifying is that Roy Montgomery resembles the bandit, isn't it? You aren't saying definitely that he is the bandit."
"I say positively that he is the man."
He was unable to describe the clothing or shoes worn by the slayer and, like the other members of the family, said it was protruding cheek bones, athletically developed leg muscles and a swaying gait upon which he based his recognition.
"But you have never seen Roy Montgomery swaying back and forth with a pistol in his hand?" demanded the defense.
The witness said he had seen the defendant in the grand jury room when Montgomery was brought there considerable later. Much questioning from the defense finally developed the declaration that Montgomery had been nervous in the room and had walked about in a swaying fashion.
Various policemen from the Fifth Precinct station followed on the stand to testify about the discovery of the shells and finally of the all important bullet itself on October 8.
Per Story in the State Times Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) May 23, 1930 Page 1
FIRE SHOTS FROM DEFENDANT"S GUN IN ORLEANS CASE
Fatal Bullet and Test Leads Compared by Montgomery Jury
By Associated Press.
New Orleans, May 23,--In an effort to convict Roy Montgomery, local gangster, of the murder of Albert Grossimon, slain in a drig store hold-up here last October, the prosecution today in the court room fired two bullets from the pistol they claim is Montgomery's for microscopic comparison with the bullets taken from the dead man's body.
The shots were fired in the presence of the jury by Maurice O'Neil, Bertillon operator and ballistic head of the New Orleans police department
A juryman oiled and cleaned the pistol and then O'Neil fired the gun twice into a stuffed wooden box placed on a chair in the corner of the court room.
The bullets were then compared under microscope in a special machine brought from New York especially for this trial.
Each juror looked in the microscope to view the minute identification marks the prosecution claims are distinguishable, place there by the pistol barrel.
O'Neil testified that:
"The markings on the test bullets and those on the fatal bullets are identically the same."
Counsel for the defense announced that they would offer an alibi for Montgomery before they close their side of the case.
The prosecution alleges that the pistol was taken from Montgomery's automobile on his arrest a week after the slaying.
Per Story in the Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) May 24, 1930 Page 1
New Orleans, May 23, (AP) -- A criminal court jury after 37 minutes deliberation late tonight acquitted Roy Montgomery, notorious local police character of the murder of Albert Grossimon in the hold-up of a drug store last October 8.
The state maintaned that Montgomery was the bandit who fatally shot Grossimon when the latter grappled with him during the pharmacy robbery. The case went to the jury tonight after three days' of testimony and argument.
Per Story in the Times-Picayune June 15, 1930
BERTILLON OFFICE IS GIVEN NEW NAME
Title Henceforth to Be Bureau of Identification
A message announcing the change of title of the Bertillon office to the Bureau of Identification was sent to every division of the police department Saturday night by Chief of Police George Reyer.
The change of title, Chief Reyer said, followed a recent conference of the police board, when it was explained by District Attorney Eugene Stanley that difficulty was encountered in the roy Montgomery trial proving that a Beetillon expert could qualify both as a ballistic and fingerprint expert.
Chief Reyer said the title of Bertillon operator and his assistant have also been changed to superintendent of Identification Bureau and assistant superintendent respectively.
Per Find A Grave Index
Name:Albert Leo Grossimon
Event Type:Burial
Event Date:1929
Event Place:New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States of America
Photograph Included:Yes
Birth Date:24 Jul 1904
Death Date: 17 Oct 1929
Affiliate Record Identifier:98443153
Cemetery:Saint Patrick Cemetery #1