The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
Charley Graffeo, 1900 7th Avenue, Latest Victim 0i Series Of Fiendish Crimes Of Striking Similarity Against Small Shopkeepers
BLOOD DISAPPEARED AK IS FOUND BEHIND DOOR
Persons Living In Rooms Ad. joining Unaware Of Crime Until Aroused By Detectives. Dead Mans Son Was At Pic. ture Show

The body of. Charley Graffeo. SI counter in his store, l500 Seventh l avenue. north, by Detectives Bragan and Walton, at 9;45 Monday night with the skull crushed by the single blow of an ax and the throat cut from ear to ear. Mrs. Joe Floyd, who occupied rooms in the rear of the store, was unaware of the murder until the arrival of police.
 The body was discovered by two unidentified negroes, about 93o o'clock. Seeing Graffeo lying in pool of blood behind the counter, the negroes fled, calling to two pas sers-by, J. F. Neighbors and H. Downs, who notified police. Detectives Bragan and Walton found the door of the store open The body lay in such a position that it was not discernible from the side walk. A blood splattered av stood behind the door. Its handle was shor- tened, so that it could be carried be- heath the coat, police believe.
 Pockets Inside Out.
 From police investigations. the | killer apparently entered with a | pretense of buying oil. A bottle, with . funnel in it, stood on the oil tank. nickel, evidently meant for payment of the oil, lay on the end of the counter, about where the Kill CT would have stood to strike his blow. The body lay, face downward, with the pockets turned outward. Graffeos coat had been thrown over 1 his head
 hurried search. apparently for valuables, had been made. There was no money left in Graffeo's pock- cts and only few cents left in the cash register. Police think it had been rifled. In the room at the rear or the store, occupied by Graffeo and B hls lO-year-old son, Johnny, clothing \ had been hurled helter skelter pair of Graffeo's trousers lay upon table, with pockets turned outward. A pockctbook, rifled of its contents. save receipts from an Italian organi- zation, lay upon the trousers. Drawl CTS or a chiffonier, washstand and dressing table were open. Even bed- clothing had been tempered with, the killer leaving several blood stains here in his hurried search. No work able clues had been found few hours after the crime, but Assistant Grief Christian, Coroner Russum and detectives were conducting a minute investigation. When the coroner had examined the body he made the an nouncement that the throat had been cut. apparently after the victim had been struck over the head.
 o o O
 Went To Picture Show.
 According to Mrs. Joe Floyd. who with her daughter Mrs. Pearl Reyes, lives in rooms adjoining the store, Craffeo seldom closed the store in the early hours. About 7:30 o'clock, Mrs. Reyes and Johnny Graffeo. son of the dead man. left the store for picture show. Graffeo was in the store at that time. Mrs. Floyd told police she retired to her room, where she slept until awakened by Detec- lives Bragan and Walton. She said she heard no noises
 The last person seen to leave thS store was a negro man, but no de- scription could be obtained by police. All evidence at present points to 9 robbery motive, according to police as Graffeo was thought to have sold whisky at times, and probably was believed 10 have a considerable sum of money.
 The aX was taken to police head quarters by Detectives Bragan and Walton. The body was taken by Johns.