New York City, NY. Dorothy Mori was a pretty 34 year old woman by all accounts. In 1927 she won a beauty contest in St. Louis, Mo. Part owner of a candy shop, Dorothy somehow had found herself in the company of one “Red Murray” Pershing in October and November of 1940.
Theirs was a tumultuous relationship. Pershing was 40 years old and had been paroled from Comstock, NY after serving 10 to 20 years for assault and robbery. It was reported that he had threatened to kill Dorothy several times in recent weeks.
As the story is told Pershing stole a $150.00 diamond ring from Dorothy after beating her up so badly that she had to be taken to the hospital to be treated. One news report stated that Pershing had “slashed Mori’s finger in an attempt to remove the ring.”
Dorothy and her dog in better times.
I guess Pershing didn’t consider that Dorothy might go to the police, however she did and subsequently set up a meeting with Pershing at the Manhattan Tavern. Police suggested that she kiss him when he so they would know who he was.
Dorothy agreed and when Pershing came into the bar, she ran to him and threw her arms around him, kissing him passionately.
The detectives closed in quickly but not quick enough. Pershing drew his weapon and fired off 5 shots but none of them “took effect.” The police blazed away at Pershing and struck him 6 times before he fell at their feet, dead.
On November 15th 1940, the headlines were splashed across the front pages of every newspaper:
“GERMANS TURN TO DOG AND FOX MEAT”
“IRON GUARD REVOLT IN RUMANIA FAILS”
“ITALIANS FALL BACK FROM KORITZA”
and
“CONVICT GETS KISS OF DEATH”
Just before “Red Murray” Pershing went to meet Dorothy Mori that fateful night he told some acquaintances:
“I might have a little trouble with Dotty.”
Red Murray is no relation to Red Manley, of Black Dalia fame...?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so Julie...I'm finding out that there were ALOT of "Reds" around back in the day...especially in the "Underworld."
ReplyDelete; )