Kitty Genovese: A True Account of a Public Murder and Its Private Consequences

by Pelonero, Catherine

  AROUND THIS SAME time, a woman in her early seventies named May Sisk had occasion to think back about a girlhood friend of hers. May Sisk, now a grandmother, had once been May Trezza, a girl who grew up in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Someone asked May about her childhood friend, Kitty Genovese. May talked about the times way back in elementary school when she and Kitty played dolls on the stoops of brownstones on St. Johns Place, roller-skated on the sidewalks, and walked up to a candy store on 5th Avenue. She talked about Kitty in high school—how very, very funny she was, always cutting up, making everybody smile and laugh with her silly jokes, running up out of a subway singing at the top of her lungs, “New York, New York! It’s a wonderful town!”

  May still saw her old friend’s name and picture in the newspapers. Every so often, there would be a story about Kitty Genovese in the paper, and May would look at it and read it and remember the Kitty she knew. May really never got emotional or sad when she thought about Kitty now. It had all been so long ago. There were many things she remembered about Kitty, but surely also many things that she must have forgotten as the years had passed.

  May grabbed her high school yearbook. She flipped through the pages, refreshing her memory. The person May was speaking with asked if Kitty had signed her yearbook. May answered, “Let me check . . . yes. Yes, she did.”

  There was a pause. Suddenly, unexpectedly, there was a little catch in May’s voice as she read the words that an excited teenage girl had written more than fifty years ago.

  “Forget me not.”

  THE END

  EPILOGUE

  IN THE YEARS after earning his college degree, Winston Moseley worked as a teaching assistant in prison, helping other inmates learn to read, write, and further their educations. As of this writing, he is seventy-eight years old. He is currently the longest-serving inmate in the New York State correctional system.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  DURING THE YEARS I spent researching this book, I had the good fortune of receiving assistance from dozens of people connected to the story told here as well as others who provided assistance in a variety of ways. I am very grateful to each and every person who helped bring this book to life. I would like to mention a few here whose help and/or contributions proved particularly valuable. First and foremost, I thank my good friend Joseph De May, whose website on the Kitty Genovese case first inspired me to seek the facts and write this book. I thank Joe for his steadfast support and commitment, particularly when the facts revealed were ugly and disconcerting. Joe never wavered in his principled belief that truth should come before all other considerations, even if it conflicted with his own initial assumptions about the case, and for this I respect and admire him more than I can express.

  I would like to give special thanks to Dan Austin of the Retired Detectives of New York for his invaluable help in patiently answering my endless questions, and putting me in touch with others directly connected to the story told here. Many thanks to all the police officers and detectives who generously gave me their time and recollections, especially retired detectives Charles Prestia and Frank Frezza, who spent hours recalling details of the 1964 investigation for me. From the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, I thank Jaclyn Belson, and especially Gene Reibstein, retired assistant district attorney, whose recollections of the 1995 hearing and pre-hearing preparations proved invaluable. From the office of the Erie County district attorney in Buffalo, I am very grateful to Michael Felicetta for his great help with information on Moseley’s 1968 escape and its aftermath. Thank you to James Watson, former crime reporter for the Buffalo Courier-Express. Thanks also to the staff of the Butler Library Archives at Buffalo State College for providing me with a wealth of news clippings.

  This book would not have been what I wanted it to be without the help of those who knew Kitty Genovese personally. My eternal gratitude goes to all of them who took the time to share their memories with me. I am especially grateful to Mary Ann Zielonko, both for her help, and for her bravery in recalling incidents that still caused her pain and sadness, even decades hence. She is indeed a woman of great character and courage. Special thanks to Victor Horan, Kitty’s friend and coworker, and to Kitty’s childhood and school friends, especially May Trezza Sisk and Peggy Hallinan Wilburn.

  I also wish to acknowledge and thank the following persons for their contributions: Alan Gansberg, Judy Gansberg, Larry Gross, Michael Titowsky, Candace Henschel, Lenny Bloch, Peter Mueller, Wally Brosnan, Michael Hoffman, Arlene Heilbrunn, and particularly Professor Harold Takooshian of Fordham University. Thanks also to Dave Sagarin for the use of his haunting photograph of the Tudor building hallway.

  My editor, Julie Ganz, championed this book and provided the type of editorial support that any writer would feel blessed to have. On that note, I thank my friend and fellow author, Brian Kennedy, for introducing me to Julie. For their encouragement and feedback on early drafts, I also thank my family and friends, particularly my husband, Josh Brewster; my mother and my sisters; as well as Frances Kleese, Shirl Hendryx, Jack Hunter, Scott Sandoe, and Brad Schreiber. Finally, thanks to my attorney, Donald Smiley, whose wise counsel helped guide me through the publication process.

  SOURCES AND REFERENCES

  IN ADDITION TO the interviews I conducted, I consulted a variety of sources in the writing of this book in an effort to present an account of events that is as complete and as thoroughly researched and corroborated as possible. The narrative is based on firsthand interviews, archival documents, reports, memoirs, legal transcripts, news and magazine articles, and law enforcement records. As noted in the text, accounts of the police investigation came directly from the police reports. All of the courtroom dialogue is taken directly from the transcripts of the proceedings. Many of the references on the following list are quoted in the text, as noted. Books are listed alphabetically by author. Because of the great number of articles from periodicals and newspapers, I have arranged the list of publications alphabetically and then listed the articles in order of publication date.

  BOOKS

  Rosenthal, A. M. Thirty-eight Witnesses: The Kitty Genovese Case. California: University of California Press, 1999. Originally published: [1st ed.] New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964.

  Seedman, Albert A., and Peter Hellman. Chief! New York: Arthur Fields Books, Inc., 1974.

  Skoller, Charles. Twisted Confessions: The True Story Behind the Kitty Genovese and Barbara Kralik Murder Trials. Austin, TX: Bridgeway Books, 2008.

  Welch, Neil J., and David W. Marston. Inside Hoover’s FBI: The Top Field Chief Reports. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1984.

  PERIODICALS, ARTICLES, AND REPORTS

  American Heritage (magazine):

  “Nightmare on Austin Street.” By Jim Rasenberger. October 2006. Volume 57, issue 5.

  American Psychologist (journal of the American Psychological Association):

  “The Kitty Genovese Murder and the Social Psychology of Helping: The Parable of the 38 Witnesses.” By Rachel Manning, Mark Levine, and Alan Collins. September 2007. Vol. 62., No. 6.

  Buffalo Evening News:

  “Area Search Widens For Convicted Slayer Who Fled Hospital.” March 19, 1968.

  “Killer Moseley Evades Police Despite an International Hunt.” March 20, 1968.

  “Moseley Captured on Grand Island; Held Two Women, Infant Hostage.” By The News Staff. March 21, 1968.

  “Fright, Anger, Calm Courage Marked the Pursuit of Moseley.” By The News Staff. March 22, 1968.

  “Moseley Says He Would Escape Again; Recaptured Killer Vows Not To Pass Up A New Opportunity.” By Ray Hill. March 22, 1968.

  “Moseley Admits Telephone Call From Hideout.” March 23, 1968.

  “Cleaning Woman Held For Failure to Report Moseley Encounter.” By Mike Benevento. March 25, 1968.

  “Assistant DA Fired Over Disagreement in Moseley Case.” By Dick Christian. March 26, 1968.

  “Moseley to Be Questioned On Where He Got Money.” March 27, 1968.

&
nbsp; “DA’s Aide Won’t Fight Dismissal.” March 27, 1968.

  “Grand Jury To Get Case Of Woman In House With Moseley.” March 28, 1968.

  “Moseley Reveals He Got $20 While In Meyer Hospital.” March 29, 1968.

  “Ex-FBI Agent Recalls Face-Off With a Killer.” By Gene Warner. April 3, 1989.

  Courier-Express (Buffalo, New York):

  “Police Hunt Escaped Murderer.” March 19, 1968.

  “Timing Essential In Moseley Escape.” By John Pauly. March 20, 1968.

  “Moseley’s Illness Held Self-Induced.” March 21, 1968.

  “FBI Agent Arrests Moseley In House On Grand Island.” By George Halloran and Richard E. Baldwin. March 22, 1968.

  “Killer Discussed His Background With 2 Hostages.” By David Prizinsky. March 22, 1968.

  “Welch Braves Slayer’s Gun.” March 22, 1968.

  “No Security Lapses Reported at Meyer.” By Dale English. March 22, 1968.

  “Moseley Returned To Attica Prison.” March 23, 1968.

  “Welch’s Badge of Courage Still Glistens With Humility.” By Marshall Brown. March 24, 1968.

  “Grand Jury to Hear Cleaning Woman Case.” March 30, 1968.

  “Warden Queried on Escape.” October 29, 1968.

  “Mosley (sic) Captor Honored As ‘Hero of the Year.’ ” June 29, 1969.

  Geneva Times (Geneva, New York):

  “Inside Attica: Prisoners Strike Enters Second Day.” (AP) August 24, 1976.

  LIFE(magazine):

  “The View From Here: The Dying Girl That No One Helped.” By Loudon Wainwright. April 10, 1964. Vol. 56, No. 15.

  “Homosexuality in America: A secret world grows open and bolder.” By Paul Welch. “Scientists search for some answers.” By Ernest Havemann. Photographed for LIFE by William Eppridge. June 26, 1964. Vol. 56, No. 26.

  “The View From Here: A Very Special Murderer.” By Loudon Wainwright. July 3, 1964. Vol. 57, No. 1.

  Long Island Press:

  “Woman, 28, Knifed to Death.” March 13, 1964.

  “Kitty Worshipped Life in the City, And Died in Its Lonely Streets.” By Edward Weiland. March 14, 1964.

  “Puzzler for Cops: Who Killed Kitty?” March 15, 1964.

  “Accused Slayer Shows No Emotion at Court Hearing.” March 20, 1964.

  “Grave May Hold Key To a Brutal Murder.” March 27, 1964.

  “Austin Street Can’t Forget an Unheeded Cry in the Night.” By Edward Weiland. March 28, 1964.

  “Exhume Body, Find Bullets in ‘Knife’ Victim.” March 31, 1964.

  “Moseley Lawyer Will Link Him to Kralik Killing.” By Arnold

  Bornstein. June 9, 1964.

  “Expect Moseley to Testify About the Kralik Murder.” By Arnold Bornstein. June 10, 1964.

  Long Island Star-Journal:

  “Kitty Knew Her Killer.” March 14, 1964.

  “Stab Victim ‘Loved Life.’ ” By Edward Weiland. March 14, 1964.

  “Slain Barmaid’s Clothes Torn.” March 17, 1964.

  “DA, Police Disagree on Killer.” March 23, 1964.

  “Did He Kill Her?” March 23, 1964.

  “Link Murder Suspect to 2 More Attacks.” March 24, 1964.

  “ ‘Who Knew It Was Murder,’ Say 38.” By Edward Weiland. March 28, 1964.

  “Public Apathy: Why? The Spectre of the Schuster Case.” By Edward Weiland. May 25, 1964.

  “Public Apathy: Why? Self-Preservation Man’s First Concern.” By Edward Weiland. May 27, 1964.

  “Anti-Apathy Drive Shaped.” June 2, 1964.

  “Apathy Rx: Togetherness.” June 10, 1964.

  “Moseley Sentenced To Death.” July 6, 1964.

  Memories (magazine):

  “25 Years Ago: A Victim’s Cries Go Unanswered.” By Martin Gansberg. February/March, 1989.

  New York Daily News:

  “Queens Barmaid Stabbed, Dies.” By Thomas Pugh and Richard Henry. March 14, 1964.

  “The Scream No One Answered.” By Joseph McNamara. January 8, 1984.

  “Kitty’s Death Still Haunts Us.” By John Melia and Don Singleton. March 11, 1984.

  “Stigma Remains from Genovese Case.” By John Melia. 1984.

  “Retry Me: Genovese Killer.” By Jerry Capeci. June 16, 1995.

  “Kitty Genovese Killer Gets Hearing.” By Greg B. Smith. June 17, 1995.

  “New Day for Kitty’s Killer.” By Dave Saltonstall. June 25, 1995.

  “Kitty’s Kin Face Murderer, Killer Bids for New Trial.” By Greg B. Smith and Corky Siemaszko. July 24, 1995.

  “Family Sees Nightmare in the Flesh.” By Michael Daly. July 25, 1995.

  “Kin See Kitty’s Killer, He Asks New Trial Amid Their Glares.” By Robert Gearty and Corky Siemaszko. July 25, 1995.

  “Kitty Killer: I’m Victim Too, Says Notoriety Causes Him Hurt.” By Greg B. Smith. August 5, 1995.

  “New Trial is Denied for Killer of Kitty.” By Greg B. Smith. November 14, 1995.

  “Fed Court to Mull Kitty Killer Plea.” By Greg B. Smith. May 4, 1996.

  “Kitty Genovese’s Killer Loses Bid For a New Trial.” By Greg B. Smith. December 25, 1996.

  “For Whom the Bell Tolls, Kitty Genovese, 1964.” By Jay Maeder. October 7, 1998.

  “Kitty’s Cries Still Shock 40 yrs. Later, Neighbors Insist They Would Help.” By Tony Sclafani. March 14, 2004.

  “Deny Parole to ‘64 Kitty Genovese Horror Killer, Says Victim’s Brother.” By Larry McShane. March 10, 2008.

  “Keep on rottin’, Parole Board tells Kitty Genovese’s Vile Killer.” By Larry McShane. March 13, 2008.

  “Kitty Genovese’s Murderer Must Remain Off the Streets.” (Editorial). By Lion Calandra, Daily News Editorial Board member. March 18, 2008.

  “Kitty Genovese’s Killer Blames His Wife-beating Father for Vicious Murder.” By Larry McShane. April 3, 2008.

  New York Herald-Statesman:

  “Koop: Prosecute ‘Bad Samaritans.’ ” By Walter Kane. March 11, 1984.

  New York Herald Tribune:

  “2d Autopsy: ‘Stabbing’ Victim Shot 6 Times.” By Robert Parrella. April 1, 1964.

  “Three Hero Citizens Who Dared To Help Police.” By Sue Reinert. April 2, 1964.

  “Own Lawyer Sure His Client Slew Girl.” By Robert Parrella and Maurice C. Carroll. April 3, 1964.

  “Moseley On Stand: Tells of Killing 3.” By Robert Parrella and Fred C. Shapiro. June 11, 1964.

  New York Journal-American:

  “A Knife Flashes . . . A Life Ebbs.” March 13, 1964.

  “40 Mins. That Cut a Lifeline in A Girl’s Slaying.” By Joan Hanauer and Seymour Spector. March 15, 1964.

  “This Is the Shocking Story of 37 Witnesses Who Saw Evil, But Chose to Do Nothing.” March 27, 1964.

  “Astonishing Things Some of the Witnesses Told Us Today.” By Helen Sutton and Charles Roland. March 27, 1964.

  “The Agony Ignored.” March 28, 1964.

  “Did Hushed-Up Attack on Girl Cost a Life?” By Marjorie Farnsworth and Charles Roland. March 29, 1964.

  “Why City People Go Blind to Evil.” By Dr. Joyce Brothers. March 30, 1964.

  “Autopsy Solves Killing Of Queens Housewife.” By Alfred Robbins and Seymour Spector. March 31, 1964.

  “Murder . . . Fire . . . Terror in Subway! But Do We Care?” By Joan Hanauer. April 1, 1964.

  “His Lawyer Is Certain Mosely (sic) Killed Girl, 15.” April 2, 1964.

  “ ‘When Can I Come Home?’ ” By Mike Pearl. April 3, 1964.

  “Lawyers Clash Over Mosely (sic) ‘Guilt’ in Kralik Murder.” April 4, 1964.

  “Step by Step, the Story: Who Killed Barbara?” By George Carpozi, Jr. and Seymour Spector. April 5, 1964.

  “Own Words Haunt ‘Monster.’ ” By Helen Sutton and Richard Piperno. April 6, 1964.

  “State Rests in Kitty’s Slaying; Moseley Defense: Insanity.” June 9, 1964.

  “Moseley Murder Case Goes to Jury.” June 11, 1964.

  “Chair for Kitty’s Killer, Spectators Ap
plaud Verdict.” By Seymour Spector. June 15, 1964.

  “Mitchell’s Defense: Moseley.” June 17, 1964.

  “Jury Gets Mitchell Case.” June 26, 1964.

  “Hung Jury Ends Trial Of Mitchell.” June 27, 1964.

  “Kitty Genovese—One Year Later.” By Helen Sutton. March 11, 1965.

  New York Observer:

  “A. M. Rosenthal, 1922–2006.” By Charles Kaiser. May 15, 2006.

  New York Post:

  “Youth in Girl’s Killing Says Fear Made Him Confess.” By Vincent Austin and Don Kirk. April 5, 1964.

  New York Sun:

  “A. M. Rosenthal, Influential New York Times Editor, Dies at 84.” By Stephen Miller. May 11, 2006.

  New York Times:

  “Queens Woman Is Stabbed To Death in Front of Home.” March 14, 1964.

  “Queens Man Seized in Death of 2 Women.” March 20, 1964.

  “Queens Reopens Murder Inquiry; Confession Throws Doubt on Case Against Youth.” By Martin Gansberg. March 24, 1964.

  “Suspect Committed in Slaying of Two.” March 26, 1964.

  “37 Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police; Apathy at Stabbing of Queens Woman Shocks Inspector.” By Martin Gansberg. March 27, 1964.

  “Apathy Is Puzzle In Queens Killing.” By Charles Mohr. March 28, 1964.

  “What Kind of People Are We?” March 28, 1964.

  “Apathy to Crime Discussed; Moral Issues Examined in Failure of Witnesses to Intervene.” Letters to the Times. David R. Singleton. March 31, 1964.

  “Police To Honor 3 Who Gave Help.” By Martin Gansberg. March 31, 1964.

  “Autopsy Report On Slaying Erred.” By Martin Gansberg. April 1, 1964.

  “TV Effect on Viewers.” Letters to the Times. Henri Peyre. April 2, 1964.

  “New Way To Call Police Aid Sought.” By Martin Gansberg. April 2, 1964.

  “Lawyer Says Client Murdered 3 Women.” April 3, 1964.

  “Treatment of Witnesses.” Letters to the Times. Percival E. Jackson. April 7, 1964.

  “TV Called Factor In Slaying Apathy.” April 12, 1964.

  “Blood Sport.” April 16, 1964.