MERRIFIELD, Chester
Merrifield, a 3l-year-old white Louisville, Ky., man was first arrest-
ed at the age of 14 for. grand larceny. He was constantly in trouble
with the law for theft, but always managed to get a suspended sentence
or probation until February, 1939, when he was sent to Eddyville Pri-
son following conviction for banding to commit a felony. After his
parole, he became a member of a gang known as the "society bandits"
because of their penchant for robbing wealthy homes of jewelry. Sen-
tenced to a life term in prison in 190, he repeatedly trie for
parole and was once on the verge of receiving it when he escaped from
LaGrange Prison. He was captured shortly afterwards in Memphis, tenn.
when an official of the prison on vacation spotted him as another
sightseer at a Memphis meeum. Returned to prison, he finally made
parole in Zeb., 1952, On the night of Nov. 8, 1952, he,mm his wife
and another couple had just left a Louisville night club when they
got into an argument. Apolice car was passing at the time and Offi-
cers Alvin Keown and Thomas Marcum stopped to investigate. Merri-
field had already pulled a pistol and when Keown asked for it, Merri-
field, fearing a revocation of parole, shot him in the s tomach and
rane A deputy sheriff who had arrived shot him in the leg and he
MERRIFIELD, Chester
Merrifield, a 3l-year-old white Louisville, Ky., man was first arrest-
ed at the age of 14 for grand larceny. He was constantly in trouble
with the law for theft, but always managed to get a suspended sentence
or probation until February, 1939, when he was sent to Eddyville Pri-
son following conviction for banding to commit a felony. After his
parole, he became a member of a gang known as the "society bandits"
because of their penchant for robbing wealthy homes of jewelry. Sen-
tenced to a life term in prison in 190, he repeatedly trie& for
parole and was once on the verge of receiving it when he escaped from
LaGrange Prison. He was captured shortly afterwards in Memphis, Tenn.
when an official of the prison on vacation spotted him as another
sightseer at a Memphis mepeum. Returned to prison, he finally made
parole in Feb., 1952. On the night of Nov. 8, 1952, he,am#t his wife
and another couple had just left a Louisville night club when they
got into an argument. Apolice car was passing at the time and Offi-
cers Alvin Keown and Thomas Marcum stopped to investigate. Merri-
field had already pulled a pistol and when Keown asked for it, Merri-
field, fearing a revocation of parole, shot him in the s tomach and
ran. A dpputy sheriff who had arrived shot him in the leg and he
MERRIFIELD, Chester
Merrifield, a 3l-year-old white Louisville, Xy., man was first arrest:
ed at the ago of 1 for grand larceny. He was constantly in trouble
with the law for theft, but always managed to get a suspended sentencel
or probation until February, 1939, when he was sent to Bddyville Pri-
After his
iber of a gang known as the "society bandits"
fe eeienne as eateries scegsiys | aes
mm in prison in 1940, he repeatedly tried for
parole and was once on the verge of receiving it when he escaped from
LaGrange Prison, He was captured shortly afterwards in Memphis, lem,|
when an official of the prison on vacation spotted hin as another
sightseer at a Memphis meeun, Returned to prison, he finally made
parole in Feb, 1952, On the night of Nov. 8, 1952, he,mmt his wife
and another couple had just left a louisville night club when they
got into an argument. Apolice car was passing at the time and Offi-
cers Alvin Keown and Thonas Marcum stopped to investigate. Merri-
field had already pulled a pigtol and when Noo asked for it, Merri-
field, fearing a revocation of parole, shot him in the stomach ai
ran, A ee sheriff who had arrived shot him a the leg and we
as ee
those duties in engaging sia pistol etetes with several men, was noe
twelve times and left for dead, May never admitted that he murdered
Mrs, Meredith, He maintained she was accidentally shot while he and
Freeman were firing at each other, The negro testified, however, that
he was running and not shooting when May was shooting at him, May
always said that he regretted that he did not kill Freeman. May took
his sentence stoically. He said he was sure he never would die a
natural death and as he had lived ):3 years he would rather know when
his end was to come so as to be prepared for it."
MONXGMAKRX MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, Montgonsry, ener June 28, 1913,
See 156 SW 107) = KY BOOK AND MAG EX,
those duties in engaging with pistol battles with several men, was shot
twelve times and left for dead, May never admitted that he murdered
Mrs. Meredith, He maintained she was accidentally shot while he and
Freeman were firing at each other, The negro testified, however, that
he was running and not shooting when May was shooting at him, May
always said that he regretted that he did not kill Freeman. May took
his sentence stoically. He said he was sure he never would die a
natural death and as he had lived ]}3 years he would rather know when
his end was to come so as to be prepared for it,"
MENTGMAKRX MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, Montgomery, Alabama, June 28, 1913,
See 156 SW 107) = KY BOOK AND MAG EX.
those duties in engaging with pistol beetles with several men, was shot
twelve times and left for dead, May never admitted that he mrdered
Mrs, Meredith, He maintained she was eee shot while he and
Freeman were firing at each other, The negro testified, however, that
he was running and not shooting when May was shooting at him, May
always said that he regretted that he did not kill Freeman, May took
his sentence stoically, He said he was sure he never would die a
natural death and as he had lived h3 years he would rather know when
his end was to come so as to be prepared for it,
ADVERTISER, Montgomery, Alabama, June 28, 1913.
See 156 SW 107) = KY BOOK AND MAG EX.
ie ret
Ine 85 1
ea 156. 1074 = KY BOOK
