The PEOPLE v. Pellegrino

In a bench trial in the criminal court of Cook County James Pellegrino was convicted of the murder of Charles Fowler and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of 14 to 16 years. A writ of error has been issued to review his conviction.

On June 17, 1962, Crystal Sanders, a prostitute, met Fowler in a tavern on West Madison Street in Chicago and solicited him. They went to a hotel on West Madison, registered as husband and wife, and were assigned a room on the second floor. After twenty minutes of sexual intercourse, Crystal refused to continue and Fowler punched her in the face. The blow…