Within six weeks of the indictments, Federal Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis became baseball's first Commissioner. Landis would closely monitor the Black Sox trial, attending many of the proceedings. On March 12,1921 Commissioner Landis announced that the eight Black Sox players had been placed on an "ineligible list." Landis added that the indicted players would "not necessarily" be reinstated if they were found not guilty. On February 14,1921, with Judge William Dever presiding, the defendants were arraigned. All of the players were present, but none of the gamblers showed (Sullivan and Attell had both fled the country). While the defense attorneys petitioned for a bill of particulars (document specifying each charge against each defendant), lead prosecutor, George Gorman advised the Court that the Grand Jury records and the players confessions were missing. A request was made for a reconvening of the Grand Jury. On June 27,1921 the Cook County Courthouse located at 54 W. Hubbard Street began the Black Sox proceedings. |
above (left to right): Cook County Courthouse (circa early 20th century), Black Sox Proceedings, Defendants Buck Weaver and Swede Risberg. By this point however, only seven players (Cicotte, Felsch, Gandil, Jackson, Risberg, Weaver and Williams) and two gamblers (Dave Zelcer and Carl Zork) were all that remained. Due to lack of evidence, the charges were dropped on Fred McMullin and the other defendants. The State of Illinois had charged Ed Cicotte et al with the following five counts: -Conspiring to defraud the public
-Conspiring to commit a confidence game
-Conspiring to defraud White Sox catcher Ray Schalk
-Conspiring to injure the business of Charles Comiskey
-Conspiring to injure the business of the American League The maximum sentence for the charges: five years in prison and a fine of $2,000, both of which were being sought by the State. On July 5, the defenses' motion to dismiss the charges against the remaining defendants was denied by presiding Judge Hugo Friend. Jury selection began and would conclude on July 15. |
