1. Harry "The Hook" Aleman was a Chicago mobster who was one of the most feared enforcers for the Chicago Outfit during the 1970s.
24 Facts About Harry Aleman
1. 2.
Harry Aleman is famous for being the only person in the United States ever to be acquitted of murder, then legally tried and convicted for murder when the initial trial was found to be corrupt.
3.
Harry Aleman was a nephew of future Chicago Outfit acting mob boss Joseph Ferriola and uncle to Joseph Harry Aleman.
4.
Harry Aleman's mother was Italian, his father a native of Durango, Durango, Mexico who was involved in narcotics trafficking.
5.
The only relief Harry Aleman got was from ages seven to eleven, when Louis was in prison.
6.
In 1956, Harry Aleman graduated from Crane Technical High School and enrolled in the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts to study commercial art.
7.
Harry Aleman went to work selling race track program sheets and produce from the South Water Street Market.
8.
In 1964, Harry Aleman married Ruth Felper Mustari, a widow with four children, who died in 2000 at age 68.
9.
In 1962, Harry Aleman was charged with assaulting Howard Pierson, the 23-year-old son of a Chicago police commander.
10.
When Pierson arrived at the scene, the enraged Harry Aleman punched Pierson, breaking his jaw.
11.
Harry Aleman's alleged victims included Richard Cain, a top aide to boss Sam Giancana, along with counterfeiters, mob informants, a security guard from a Miami museum that failed to pay his gambling debts, a former police officer, and another mob enforcer.
12.
Harry Aleman was prosecuted for only one murder: the 1972 Logan killing.
13.
FBI agents were reported to have said that Harry Aleman "oozed menace" and his mere presence was usually enough to enforce the Outfit's will.
14.
On September 27,1972, Harry Aleman fatally shot Teamsters official William Logan in his Chicago neighborhood.
15.
Two witnesses watched Harry Aleman commit the murder and prosecutors thought they had a strong case.
16.
However, shortly before Harry Aleman's trial started, Chicago attorney Robert Cooley was approached by First Ward political boss Pat Marcy and asked to take over as Harry Aleman's lawyer.
17.
The final straw came after one of the fights when she said, You better be careful, cause Harry Aleman won't be happy about it.
18.
In 1978, Harry Aleman was convicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of organizing a series of home invasion robberies.
19.
In 1991, Harry Aleman pleaded guilty to extorting money from bookmakers Anthony Reitinger and Vince Rizza in 1972.
20.
Harry Aleman was convicted and was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment.
21.
In 1993, based on Robert Cooley's testimony, Harry Aleman was re-indicted for the 1972 Logan slaying.
22.
In 1997, Harry Aleman was convicted of the Logan murder and sentenced to 300 years in state prison.
23.
Harry Aleman died from complications of lung cancer on May 15,2010, at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg, Illinois.
24.
Harry Aleman is buried in Waldheim Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.