The People v. Novak

Gus Novak was found guilty by a jury in the criminal court of Cook county of forcibly robbing one John Wrubel. After denial of motions for a new trial and in arrest of judgment, Novak was sentenced to serve from one to twenty years in the penitentiary.

On the evening of November 25, 1937, Wrubel and a companion were attacked by Novak and Ted Zearkowski as they entered the hallway of their rooming house. The two men resisted their attackers and were severely beaten. During the melee, Wrubel made such effective use of his pocket knife that Zearkowski died before he could be brought to trial and…