Episode 576: Veronica Gedeon & the Easter Sunday Murders (Part 2)
Digest
This chapter delves into the life and crimes of Robert Erwin, a mentally ill man who murdered three people, including his former girlfriend's mother and sister, in a bizarre and tragic case that highlights the complexities of mental illness and the justice system. Erwin's life was marked by a difficult childhood, a history of criminal activity, and severe mental illness, including delusional thinking and paranoia. He became obsessed with Ethel Gideon, a woman he met at her mother's boarding house, and when she rejected his advances, he spiraled into depression and contemplated suicide. After a series of violent outbursts and hospitalizations, Erwin returned to the Gideon's apartment on March 28th, 1937, where he murdered Mary Gideon, her daughter Ronnie, and their boarder Frank Burns. Erwin's confession to the Chicago Tribune, in exchange for a white linen suit and a Panama hat, shocked the public and raised questions about the ethics of the press. Despite his confession, Erwin's defense attorney argued that he was insane at the time of the murders, but the jury ultimately found him sane. Erwin was sentenced to 90 years to life on each count, to be served consecutively, highlighting the challenges of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness. Erwin was sentenced to 139 years in prison, 99 years for the murder of Burns and 20 years for each of the murders of Mary and Veronica Gideon. The judge who sentenced Erwin expressed reservations about the decision, acknowledging Erwin's mental unsoundness and questioning whether sending him to prison was the right decision. Shortly after his sentence, Erwin was transferred to Danimora State Hospital for the criminally insane, where he studied foreign languages and even invented his own language. However, his anger and aggression often led to solitary confinement. Erwin died in 1975 at the age of 67 after an eight-year battle with cancer. The case highlights the complexities of mental illness and the justice system, as well as the challenges of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast and its hosts, Ash and Alena, and provides a brief overview of the Gideon family murders case. It also mentions that this episode is part two of a two-part series.
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Bob Erwin's Troubled Past
This Chapter delves into the life of Bob Erwin, the suspected killer in the Gideon family murders. It explores his difficult childhood, his father's fanatical Christian cult, and his brothers' criminal activity. It also discusses Erwin's artistic talent and his struggles with severe mental illness, including delusional thinking and paranoia.
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Erwin's Obsession with Ethel Gideon
This Chapter focuses on Erwin's obsession with Ethel Gideon, the sister of one of the victims. It describes his attempts to pursue a relationship with her, despite her resistance and her engagement to another man. It also explores Erwin's belief in visualization and his frustration when his desires were not fulfilled.
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The Murders
This Chapter recounts the events of the murders, starting with Erwin's visit to the Gideon's apartment on March 28th, 1937. It details his confrontation with Mary Gideon, his murder of her, and his subsequent killing of Ronnie and Frank Burns. It also highlights Erwin's bizarre and disturbing motivations, including his desire to preserve Ethel's beauty and his belief that the green alarm clock was an eye watching him.
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Erwin's Confession and Trial
This Chapter describes Erwin's confession to the Chicago Tribune, his arrest, and his trial. It explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Tribune's decision to shield a murderer in exchange for an exclusive story. It also discusses the legal proceedings, including the Lunacy Commission's evaluation of Erwin's mental state and the jury's determination that he was sane at the time of the murders. The chapter concludes with Erwin's acceptance of a plea deal and his sentencing to 90 years to life on each count.
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The Complexities of Mental Illness and Justice
This Chapter reflects on the complexities of mental illness and the justice system, particularly in the context of Erwin's case. It explores the challenges of determining criminal insanity and the difficulties of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of traditional prison sentences for individuals with mental health issues and the need for a more nuanced approach to dealing with such cases.
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Erwin's Sentencing and Transfer
This Chapter details Erwin's sentencing to 139 years in prison and his subsequent transfer to Danimora State Hospital for the criminally insane. It highlights the judge's reservations about the decision and the psychiatrists' evaluation of Erwin's mental state. The chapter also describes Erwin's time at Danimora, where he studied foreign languages and even invented his own language, but also struggled with anger and aggression.
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Erwin's Later Years and Death
This Chapter describes Erwin's later years at Danimora, where he continued to struggle with his mental health and often required solitary confinement. It also details his death in 1975 at the age of 67 after an eight-year battle with cancer. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the tragedy of the case and the impact it had on the victims and their families.
Keywords
Robert Erwin
Robert Erwin was a mentally ill man who murdered three people, including his former girlfriend's mother and sister, in a bizarre and tragic case that highlights the complexities of mental illness and the justice system. He was diagnosed with Hebefrenia, a subtype of schizophrenia, and his life was marked by a difficult childhood, a history of criminal activity, and severe mental illness, including delusional thinking and paranoia. He became obsessed with Ethel Gideon, a woman he met at her mother's boarding house, and when she rejected his advances, he spiraled into depression and contemplated suicide. After a series of violent outbursts and hospitalizations, Erwin returned to the Gideon's apartment on March 28th, 1937, where he murdered Mary Gideon, her daughter Ronnie, and their boarder Frank Burns. Erwin's confession to the Chicago Tribune, in exchange for a white linen suit and a Panama hat, shocked the public and raised questions about the ethics of the press. Despite his confession, Erwin's defense attorney argued that he was insane at the time of the murders, but the jury ultimately found him sane. Erwin was sentenced to 90 years to life on each count, to be served consecutively, highlighting the challenges of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness.
Gideon Family Murders
The Gideon Family Murders was a tragic case that occurred in New York City in 1937. The victims were Mary Gideon, her daughter Ronnie, and their boarder Frank Burns. The murders were committed by Robert Erwin, a mentally ill man who was obsessed with Ethel Gideon, Ronnie's sister. Erwin's case highlights the complexities of mental illness and the justice system, as well as the challenges of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness.
Hebefrenia
Hebefrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia that was once recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It is characterized by foolish mannerisms, senseless laughter, delusions, and regressive behavior. Hebefrenia is no longer a recognized diagnosis in the DSM, but the symptoms of delusional and disordered thinking and distorted reality are still acknowledged in the schizophrenia diagnosis.
Visualization
Visualization is a technique that involves creating a mental image of a desired outcome or experience. It is often used in the context of goal setting, stress reduction, and improving performance. Erwin believed in the power of visualization and used it to try to manifest his desire to be with Ethel Gideon. However, his belief in visualization was delusional and contributed to his mental instability.
Criminal Insanity
Criminal insanity is a legal defense that argues that a defendant was not mentally competent at the time of the crime and therefore should not be held criminally responsible for their actions. The definition of criminal insanity varies by jurisdiction, but it generally requires that the defendant was unable to understand the nature and quality of their actions or to distinguish right from wrong. Erwin's case highlights the challenges of determining criminal insanity and the difficulties of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness.
Danimora State Hospital
Danimora State Hospital was a psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane in New York State. It was located in Dannemora, New York, and was known for its strict security measures and its focus on treating patients with severe mental illness. Robert Erwin was transferred to Danimora after being sentenced to 139 years in prison for the Gideon family murders. He spent several years at Danimora, where he studied foreign languages and even invented his own language. However, he also struggled with anger and aggression, which often led to solitary confinement.
Sing Sing
Sing Sing is a maximum-security prison located in Ossining, New York. It is one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in the United States, and has been the site of numerous executions and high-profile incarcerations. Robert Erwin was initially sentenced to Sing Sing after being convicted of the Gideon family murders, but was transferred to Danimora State Hospital for the criminally insane shortly after his arrival.
Judge James Wallace
Judge James Wallace was the judge who presided over the trial of Robert Erwin for the Gideon family murders. He sentenced Erwin to 139 years in prison, but expressed reservations about the decision, acknowledging Erwin's mental unsoundness and questioning whether sending him to prison was the right decision. Judge Wallace's decision to accept Erwin's guilty pleas, despite his reservations, highlights the complexities of the justice system and the challenges of dealing with individuals with severe mental illness.
Q&A
What was Robert Erwin's background and what led to his mental illness?
Robert Erwin had a difficult childhood marked by his father's fanatical Christian cult and his brothers' criminal activity. He also struggled with severe mental illness, including delusional thinking and paranoia, which may have been exacerbated by his upbringing and his own experiences with crime and incarceration.
What was Erwin's relationship with Ethel Gideon and how did it contribute to the murders?
Erwin became obsessed with Ethel Gideon, a woman he met at her mother's boarding house. When she rejected his advances, he spiraled into depression and contemplated suicide. His obsession with Ethel ultimately led him to murder her mother, sister, and their boarder, as he believed that killing them would allow him to regain his focus and be with Ethel.
What ethical dilemmas were raised by the Chicago Tribune's decision to shield Erwin in exchange for his confession?
The Chicago Tribune's decision to shield Erwin in exchange for his confession raised serious ethical questions about the role of the press in criminal justice. The newspaper's actions were seen as obstructing justice and prioritizing profit over the pursuit of truth and accountability.
What were the arguments presented by Erwin's defense attorney and the prosecution regarding his mental state?
Erwin's defense attorney argued that he was insane at the time of the murders, citing his history of mental illness and his delusional thinking. The prosecution countered that Erwin's actions, including his confession and his attempts to conceal evidence, demonstrated that he was sane and knew what he was doing.
What are the challenges of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness, as illustrated by Erwin's case?
Erwin's case highlights the challenges of balancing justice with the needs of individuals with severe mental illness. The justice system struggles to determine criminal insanity and to provide appropriate treatment and support for individuals with mental health issues. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of traditional prison sentences for individuals with mental health issues and the need for a more nuanced approach to dealing with such cases.
What was the judge's perspective on Erwin's mental state and the decision to sentence him to prison?
The judge who sentenced Erwin expressed reservations about the decision, acknowledging Erwin's mental unsoundness and questioning whether sending him to prison was the right decision. He believed that Erwin was mentally unsound and that the state had lost nothing by accepting his guilty pleas, except possibly the execution of the defendant. This highlights the complexities of the justice system and the challenges of dealing with individuals with severe mental illness.
What happened to Erwin after he was sentenced to prison?
Shortly after his sentence, Erwin was transferred to Danimora State Hospital for the criminally insane, where he studied foreign languages and even invented his own language. However, he also struggled with anger and aggression, which often led to solitary confinement. This highlights the challenges of providing appropriate treatment and support for individuals with severe mental illness within the prison system.
What was Erwin's life like at Danimora State Hospital?
Erwin spent several years at Danimora, where he studied foreign languages and even invented his own language. However, he also struggled with anger and aggression, which often led to solitary confinement. This highlights the complexities of treating individuals with severe mental illness and the challenges of managing their behavior within a psychiatric hospital setting.
Show Notes
On the afternoon of March 28, 1937, Easter Sunday, Joseph Gedeon and his daughter, Ethel, arrived at the home of Gedeon’s wife, Mary, for a planned Easter dinner. The Gedeon’s had been separated for some time but had agreed to have dinner together as a family, which included their other daughter, Veronica, a moderately successful pulp magazine model. When they entered the apartment, it appeared as though no one was home; however, upon checking the bedroom where his daughter slept, Joseph Gedeon found the nude body of his daughter lying lifeless on the bed and immediately called the police.
During an initial search of the apartment, investigators found the body of Mary Gedeon stuffed under her bed; like her daughter, she had been strangled to death. In a third bedroom, police also found the body of Mary’s boarder, Frank Byrnes, who’d been stabbed several times in the head and neck with a long, thin implement. There was no sign of a forced entry, no sign of a struggle, and nothing appeared to be missing from the apartment. Given that Veronica had been found nude, and Mary was clothed but her underwear had been torn away, investigators assumed the murders were a sex crime.
Still caught in the grip of the Great Depression, New Yorkers welcomed anything that could distract from the unpleasant realities of daily life and the salacious murder of a pulp magazine model—a sex crime, no less—was exactly what they were looking for. The story dominated the press, as reporters and tabloid journalists dug into Veronica’s personal life and dating history and published lurid photos from her past. But when the killer was finally caught and the motive revealed, the story was far stranger and tragic than anyone had imagined.
Thank you to the wonderful David White of the Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research!
References
Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1937. "Cops question ex-lodger in triple murder." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 29: 1.
—. 1937. "Doubts student is killer." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 6: 1.
—. 1938. "Irwin's guilty plea." Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 15: 10.
Buffalo Evening News. 1938. "Irwin, ruled insane, sent to Dannemora." Buffalo Evening News, December 10: 1.
2015. A Crime to Remember. Directed by Jeremiah Crowell. Performed by Jeremiah Crowell.
New York Daily News. 1937. "3 murdered in model's flat." New York Daily News, March 29: 1.
—. 1937. "Gray hair in model's hand chief clue in triple murder." New York Daily News, March 30: 1.
—. 1937. "Willful Ronnie 'made fools of men,' dad says." New York Daily News, March 30: 3.
New York Times. 1938. "139-year sentence imposed on Irwin." New York Times, November 29: 48.
—. 1937. "Fingerprint clues found at scene of triple murder." New York Times, March 31: 1.
—. 1937. "Gedeon gets bail." New York Times, April 3: 1.
—. 1937. "Gedeon questioned again in murders; solution held near." New York Times, April 1: 1.
—. 1937. "Irwin flown here; boasts of killings." New York Times, June 28: 1.
—. 1937. "Irwin, wild-eyed, meets reporters." New York Times, September 1: 20.
—. 1937. "Women jam court to glimpse Irwin." New York Times, Jukly 1: 56.
People v. Robert Irwin. 1938. 166 Misc. 751 (Court of General Sessions of the County of New York, March 24).
Schechter, Harold. 2014. The Mad Sculptor: The Maniac, the Model, and the Murder That Shook the Nation. Boston, MA: New Harvest.
United Press. 1937. "Sculptor hunted as triple killer in Gedeon cases." Buffalo Evening News, April 5: 1.
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