The Fortune Teller Murder: Vera Carl

Saturday, September 2nd, 1933, hundreds of people flocked to the station as five women (Ms. Eleanor Jarman, Mrs. Bessie Opas, Mrs. Vera Carl, Mrs. Louise Murphy and Miss Katherine Brockman) were ushered onto a train to be sent to Oakdale Reformatory where they’d carry out their sentences. We know about Eleanor’s crimes, but what did the other four other women do to earn themselves a seat next to the supposedly “most dangerous woman alive?” 

Tea of the Day: Wild Maine Blueberry Green Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

For a full list of sources, go to https://tea-time-crimes.simplecast.com/episodes.

Sources:

• “Prophecies Are True In Chicago Mystery Murder.” (AP) The San Bernardino County Sun, Sun, Jul 17, 1932, Page 22, https://www.newspapers.com/image/49261328/
• “Grocer Slain in Store, Quiz Widow and Son.” Chicago Tribune, Sun, Jul 17, 1932, Page 5, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355134970/
• “Husband Slain After Seeress Foretells Fate.” Chicago Tribune, Mon, Jul 18, 1932,Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355135382/
• “Police Forego Seance with Seeress of Death.” (AP) Alton Evening Telegraph, Tue, Jul 19, 1932, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/16343529/
• “Seeress Finds Cash in Death Picture Cards.” (U.P.)  Daily News, Wed, Jul 20, 1932 ·Page 355 (3), https://www.newspapers.com/image/415074302/
• “Cards Forecast Woman’s Freedom.” (UP) Martinsville, IN, The Reporter-Times, Mon, Aug 01, 1932, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/551592762/
• “Grand Jury Clears Widow, Brother of Murder Charges.” Chicago Tribune, Sat, Aug 06, 1932, Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355061142/
• “Solve Fortune Teller Murder: Accuse Widow.” “Shot when he tries to play a prank on friends.”Chicago Tribune, Mon, Feb 27, 1933, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/354928197/
• “New Witness Disputes Alibi in Carl Slaying.” Chicago Tribune, Fri, Jul 22, 1932, Page 8, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355136335/
• “Widow Denies Part in Fortune Teller Murder.” Chicago Tribune, Tue, Feb 28, 1933, Page 13, https://www.newspapers.com/image/354928716/
• “Slayer Tells of Killing In Insurance Plot.” Chicago Tribune, Wed, Jun 28, 1933, Page 16, https://www.newspapers.com/image/354985651/
• “State to Close Today In Carl Murder Trial.” Chicago Tribune, Thu, Jun 29, 1933, Page 6, https://www.newspapers.com/image/354985914/
• “Two Sentenced to Life Terms in Carl Murder.” Chicago Tribune, Sat, Jul 15, 1933, Page 6, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355101063/
• “Slayer Accuses Widow Carl as Murder Plotter.” Chicago Tribune, Sat, Jul 22, 1933, Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355162238/
• “Widow Swears Denial of Part in Carl Murder.” Chicago Tribune, Tue, Jul 25, 1933, Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/355163655/
• “Woman Faints as Sentence Meted.” (AP) Lexington Herald-Leader, Wed, Jul 26, 1933, Page 7, https://www.newspapers.com/image/683308671/
• “Thou Shalt Not Kill Thy Husband!” By Eliza