June 19, 2013

Crime History: 'Mad Dogs' kill 2 in Manhattan gunfight

BY: SCOTT MCCABE JANUARY 13, 2013 | 8:00 PM
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On this day, Jan. 14, in 1941, Anthony and William Esposito killed an office manager and a police officer in a wild daytime shootout in Manhattan. Their murder trial involved one of the most well-known insanity defense cases.

The brothers had shot a man in the head after following him into the elevator of an office building.

Manhattan's shopping district became a free-fire zone. When an officer went to check a wounded William Esposito, he turned and fired three times.

During their trial, the Espositos drooled and walked into the courtroom like apes, howled, cried uncontrollably and banged their heads on the table, earning the nickname "The Mad Dogs."

The jury deliberated for one minute, a trial record, and found them guilty.

They were executed in 1942.

-- Scott McCabe

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