Francesco Cirofici (also known as Frank Murato or Dago Frank, 1887 – April 13, 1914) was an Italian-American criminal and gangster, who, along with

Harry Horowitz Harry Horowitz ( – April 13, 1914), also known as "Gyp the Blood", was an American underworld figure and a leader of the Lenox Avenue Gang in New York City. Early life and career Harry Horowitz was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan ...

, was responsible for the July 16, 1912 murder of gambler Herman Rosenthal outside the Hotel Metropole.

Early life

Francesco Cirofici was born in 1887 in Italy. He worked as a steam fitter as well as being a member of the

Lenox Avenue Gang The Lenox Avenue Gang was an early 20th-century New York City street gang led by Harry Horowitz; it was considered one of the most violent gangs of the pre-Prohibition era. It was based in Harlem in Upper Manhattan, New York City, New York aroun ...

. Before his arrest in connection with the Rosenthal killing, he had been arrested only once. In 1905, he was imprisoned on a burglary charge in the Elmira Correctional Facility. In 1907, Cirofici's name appeared on a list released by the NYPD of gamblers known to make a practice of cheating

steamship A steamship, often referred to as a steamer, is a type of steam-powered vessel, typically ocean-faring and seaworthy, that is propelled by one or more steam engines that typically move (turn) propellers or paddlewheels. The first steamships ...

passengers.

Arrest and trial

Cirofici was arrested in connection with the Rosenthal murder on July 25, 1912. It was rumored that Cirofici had been betrayed to the police by the owner of the Dante Café, James Verrella. Verrella was murdered on July 30, 1912 in retaliation for his supposed betrayal. Cirofici was convicted of the Rosenthal killing after 25 minutes of

jury deliberation Deliberation is a process of thoughtfully weighing options, usually prior to voting. Deliberation emphasizes the use of logic and reason as opposed to power-struggle, creativity, or dialogue. Group decisions are generally made after deliberatio ...

on November 19, 1912. He was sentenced to death on November 26, 1912 for the Rosenthal killing along with Charles Becker,

, and "Lefty Louis Rosenberg" by Judge

John W. Goff John William Goff, Sr. (January 1, 1848 – November 9, 1924) was an American lawyer and judge from New York City. Early life and education Born in County Wexford, Ireland, Goff emigrated with his family to the United States while still a child ...

. The four gunmen appealed their conviction, but Cirofici's guilty verdict, along with the verdicts of Horowitz and Rosenberg, were affirmed on February 25, 1914, with Becker winning a new trial. In March 1914, Cirofici's sister, Mary Cirofici, collected signatures for an appeal for clemency to New York State Governor

Martin H. Glynn Martin Henry Glynn (September 27, 1871December 14, 1924) was an American politician. He was the 40th Governor of New York from 1913 to 1914, the first Irish American Roman Catholic head of government of what was then the most populated state of ...

. Glynn denied the appeal on April 7, 1914. On April 10, 1914, Cirofici's lawyers submitted five

affidavit An ( ; Medieval Latin for "he has declared under oath") is a written statement voluntarily made by an ''affiant'' or '' deponent'' under an oath or affirmation which is administered by a person who is authorized to do so by law. Such a statemen ...

s from five alibi witnesses. Two days later, on April 12, 1914, Cirofici's mother and sister attempted to see Glynn to beg for clemency. Glynn refused to allow them into his office and stated it would not be fair as he had not seen the mothers of any of the other men convicted. Cirofici reportedly confessed his guilt in the killing 2 hours before he was executed in the electric chair in Sing Sing Prison on April 13, 1914, despite warden James M. Clancy's attempt to grant him a temporary reprieve to allow Glynn to evaluate Cirofici's confession.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cirofici, Frank 1887 births 1914 deaths Executed gangsters Rosenthal murder case People convicted of murder by New York (state) People executed by New York (state) by electric chair People executed for murder 20th-century executions by New York (state) 20th-century executions of American people American gangsters of Italian descent American people convicted of murder Italian emigrants to the United States Executed Italian people Date of birth unknown Lenox Avenue Gang 20th-century American criminals