Al Capone
Notorious Gangster
Conviction:
Police never had enough evidence to convict him of "mob" related charges. Investigators dug deep into the law to find a conviction for Capone: Income Tax Evasion.
It is estimated that he owed nearly $216,000 dollars in income taxes. Capone's strategy was to plead guilty of all charges hoping for a plea deal, but when he saw that the judge, James H. Wilkerson wasn't going to offer a deal he changed his claim to not guilty.
He was charged with:
-misdemeanor of failing to file taxes
-income tax evasion
-conspiracy to violate prohibition
Judge James H. Wilkerson
Capone was ready to take on the jury, but at the last second the whole jury was replaced with new men. Capone was shortly found guilty of 18/23 of the counts against him. He was issued:
-six months for contempt of court
-10 years federal prison (Atlanta, GA)
-1 year county jail
Capone and his lawyers at the last court
May 1932
Capone is sent to the federal prison in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the second toughest federal prison in the United States at the time. Capone quickly took control of the prison through various connections. He began receiving rugs, mirrors, typewritters and more home-feature things. The wardens saw this and decided it was best to move him before he took over the jail.
He was then sent to Alcatraz. Alcatraz was the toughest prison ever created in the United States and had never been broken out of. Capone decided to play by the rules finally, hoping for early release. He didn't engage in any rebellious or riotous acts.
While in Alcatraz Capone started displaying symptems of syphillis and spent the rest of his time in Alcatraz in the hospital.
Capone was released with $57,692.29 in fines to pay.
Capone's cell at Alcatraz is now a popular tourist destination and is even rumored to be haunted by his ghost.
On January 6, 1939 Capone was transfered to Terminal Island Jail in California to serve his one year sentence. He remained in medical care for his illness and was released on November 16, 1939 for good behavior.
By the time Capone got out of jail for good the syphillis had left him with the mental capacity of a 12 year old boy. He and his family then moved to his mansion in Florida.
On January 21, 1947 Capone had a massive stroke.
When he regained consciousness he had contracted pneumonia.
The next day Jan 25, 1947 Capone died of cardiac arrest.
Capone was burried at Mt. Carmel Cemetary in Hillside, Illinoise.
Capone's Florida mansion
Capone's tombstone