Robert Nixon

Case overview

Robert Nixon executed by electrocution in Illinois on June 15, 1939. He killed five women and injured one other in Chicago and Los Angeles from 1936 to 1938. His claim to fame was his murder weapon of bricks. Nixon was described as a career petty criminal who moved on to murder after breaking into a Chicago home and looting it before bludgeoning the victim to death with a brick.

The offence

Nixon broke into the Chicago home of Florence Castle on June 29, 1936. He looted her house before bludgeoning her to death with a brick. In the Spring of 1937 he continued his slayings in Los Angeles, claiming three more lives, including a mother and daughter. He left one surviving victim. His method was described as victims bludgeoned with bricks in their homes or hotel rooms.

Investigation

Police and detectives watched Nixon after his arrest and as he demonstrated in pantomime how he committed the crime. He had confessed to the brick attacks and to five savage murders. One article described him being followed into a fifth-floor room where the earlier murder had occurred.

Arrest

Nixon was arrested after returning to Chicago and killing his fifth and final victim on May 28, 1938. On June 5, 1938, an account described police and detectives standing by an alley fire escape and officers calling “Let him come.” The account described handcuffs clicking and Nixon approaching the fire escape up the side of the building.

Trial and sentencing

After his confession, Nixon was sentenced to death for the last Windy City slaying.

Outcome

Nixon was electrocuted on June 15, 1939.

Other details

An account included a verbatim description of Nixon’s approach and posture on a fire escape and his pantomime demonstration:

"Let him come." Handcuffs click.
"Look at him go," says a policeman.
"Just like an ape."

The same account stated Nixon:

As detectives watch he shows in pantomime how he committed the crime, one of the five savage murders he has confessed.

The account also described Nixon’s background and physical appearance, including that he was 18 years old and from Tallulah, La., and described his lack of “charm” of speech or manner, his hunched shoulders, long, sinewy arms, out-thrust head, catlike tread, and that he was “very black.” It included the labels:

• Robert Nixon
• SEX: M
• RACE: W
• TYPE: N
• MOTIVE: PC-nonspecific
• MO: Victims bludgeoned with bricks in their homes or hotel rooms
• DISPOSITION: Executed in Ill., June 1939.

The account also said:

Brick slayer is likened to jungle beast