Peter Kudzinowski

Case record: Peter Kudzinowski

Background

Peter Kudzinowski (1903 – December 21, 1929) was a serial killer who committed his crimes in New Jersey. He was born in Poland. Kudzinowski worked as a railroad section hand and as a miner.

Kudzinowski had a brother, Julian, who lived in Greenwood, near Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The offence

Kudzinowski killed three people: Harry Quinn near Scranton in 1924; Joseph Storella (1921–1928); and Julia Mlodzianowski (1923–1928).

Kudzinowski also accosted two other children at the same location, but they ran away.

Joseph Storella

Kudzinowski met Joseph on First Avenue in New York City at about 5:30 in the evening. He took Joseph to a movie, then took him by the Port Authority Trans-Hudson train to Journal Square in Jersey City, New Jersey, and then walked him to the swamps in Secaucus.

When Joseph tried to get away, Kudzinowski knocked him down and hit him several times. Kudzinowski worried that the boy's cries would attract passing cars, then slashed his throat, covered the body with the boy's overcoat, and left him.

Julia Mlodzianowski

Julia Mlodzianowski lived on Gilchrist Street in Jersey City. She was at a school picnic at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey on August 19, 1928 when she was murdered.

Investigation

Kudzinowski was a suspect in the murder of Billy Gaffney, who was killed in 1927; Albert Fish would later confess to the murder.

Kudzinowski was also a suspect in the murder of Irving Pickelny, who disappeared from Brooklyn in February 1927.

Kudzinowski was captured in Detroit, Michigan, confessed, and was brought to Jersey City for trial.

Arrest

Kudzinowski was captured in Detroit, Michigan, and confessed.

Trial

Kudzinowski was found guilty of first-degree murder on November 17, 1928.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree without a recommendation against Peter Kudzinowski, 26-year-old railroad section hand, who confessed to the kidnapping and murder.

The jury deliberated for sixty-three minutes before Judge Egan in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Jersey City.

Sentencing

Kudzinowski was sentenced to be executed at the New Jersey State Prison on February 24, 1929.

Appeals

Counsel said they would appeal.

Outcome

Kudzinowski was executed in the electric chair on December 21, 1929 in Trenton, New Jersey.

Aftermath

Kudzinowski’s confession in Detroit led Jersey City detectives to the body of Joseph Storella.

Kudzinowski admitted trying to lure two other children before he met the Storella boy.

Kudzinowski confessed to a third murder after questioning by Jersey City police and Mayor Frank Hague until 4 o'clock yesterday morning.

He re-enacted the third murder and showed police the spot at Lake Hopatcong where he killed a 5-year-old girl. His confession included that he threw the body into the Delaware from a moving freight train. Hunt searches were conducted in the river, but the body was not found.

Fail to find body of Quinn.

Other details

Kudzinowski’s stated victims and dates:

• Harry Quinn, near Scranton, in 1924
• Joseph Storella (1921–1928), killed after being lured from Manhattan to Jersey City, New Jersey, and walked to the swamps in Secaucus
• Julia Mlodzianowski (1923–1928), murdered on August 19, 1928 at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

Reported related timing and events from the narrative include:

• On November 17, he was described as luring and killing Joseph Storella; the body was brought home for burial the next day.
• On December 8, 1928, he was described as a miner who admitted he sought to get a small girl and boy on the East Side to go with him.
• On December 11, 1928, he was described as confessing to a third murder and strangling a 5-year-old girl.
• On December 12, 1928, he was described as re-enacting his third murder and declaring he threw the body into the Delaware from a moving freight train.
• On January 12, 1929, the jury verdict was described as returning a verdict of guilty of first degree murder against the confessed kidnapper, with the imposition of the death penalty set for Wednesday.