The Robbins Eagle

AN ACCOUNT OF THE INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF RONALD McCORD

Deputy Coroner C. F. Dore opened the inquest at about 12:05. After asking formal questions and polling the jury, who were seated at his arrival, he escorted them into the morgue to view the body. The mother, next of kin, had previously viewed and identified the body as that of her son.

The first witness to be called was the mother who identified herself as Mrs. Emma Smith of 260 North Fairfield, Chicago. She testified that she had last seen her son alive on Thanksgiving Day at her home. She further stated that he was 21 years of age and that his formal schooling consisted of 3 years of high school and that he was born in Chicago, December 10th, 1936. Continuing she told the coroner that a lady friend, whom she did not identify by name, had informed her by phone of the fatal incident and upon her arrival here, she went to the police station and questioned Sgt. Chapman (officer in charge) of the circumstances surrounding the death of her son. She was informed by Sgt. Chapman that about 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning a call was received from a tavern that a disturbance was in progress. On arrival of police "Bird" and his assailant were placed under arrest and taken into custody by Officers James Johnson and J. D. Carpenter.

She stated that when she asked how he came to be shot, she was told that at the station her son and an officer engaged in a tussle and her son was shot in the tussle. She then asked if her son had been shot in the back as she had been told. To this question Chapman answered, No. She was told that her boy had attacked the officer with a knife. At this point in her testimony she became hysterical and be-
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At McCord's Inquest

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began to scream such questions as "Why was not the boy searched? Why he was not handcuffed? Why did he have to be shot?"

The coroner then kindly intervened and excused the witness. He assured her that a full investigation into the incident would be made.

The next witness to be called was investigating officer Chapman. Sgt. Chapman was admonished by the coroner that, owing to the fact that he had not informed the state's attorney's office of the case, that he testify only to questions asked. Officer Chapman testified that his investigations had not been completed at that time. He stated that Ronald McCord was pronounced dead at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning, February 15, 1958 on arrival at Oak Forest Hospital.

He also stated that Ronald McCord's death was the result of

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At McCord's Inquest
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a gunshot wound from a gun in the hands of Officer J. D. Carpenter, the bullet entering the head of McCord on the right side of the neck at the base of the skull; that said bullet was fired from a .38-caliber Colt revolver.

He further stated that Carpenter had been on the police force since June, 1957 and was a construction laborer.

Sgt. Chapman also stated that the shooting took place 20 feet west of the police station. At this point the coroner stopped the proceedings and gave the officer ten days to complete his investigations and contact the State's Attorney's office.

The jury consisted of the following persons: Mr. DuBois, 13616 Trumbull; Mr. Joseph Foy, 3844 W. 139th street; Mrs. Terry, 13535 Ridgeway; Mrs. Rogers, 3254 State street and Mrs. Bonner, 13535 Ridgeway, all residents of Robbins.

At the conclusion of the inquest a mild storm broke out at the coroner's desk. The audience openly expressed their resentment of the personnel of the jury. The coroner, surprised at the sudden, sullen outburst, immediately re-polled the jury and dismissed two of the panel--Mr. Foy, husband of Mrs. Foy, who is the Juvenile officer; and Mrs. Rogers, wife of police officer, Rogers.