Leroy Keith (Criminal)
American Serial Killer Execution
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Warren, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
November 1934 – December 1956
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Leroy Keith, an American serial killer, was responsible for the murders of three individuals during a crime spree spanning from November 1934 to December 1956, primarily in Ohio and New York. His first victim, Fred Greist, was shot on July 24, 1934, in Warren, Ohio, during a robbery attempt, leading to Keith's initial conviction for first-degree murder, which was later reduced to second-degree murder on appeal, resulting in a life sentence. After being paroled, Keith killed two more victims in New York before being apprehended in 1959. He was executed by electrocution at Sing Sing Prison on July 23, 1959. Significant evidence included witness testimony linking him to the crimes and a history of violent behavior while incarcerated, which contributed to his notoriety as a dangerous inmate.
Leroy Keith is believed to have committed his murders during robberies, with some speculation suggesting he may have been motivated by a need for money due to his criminal lifestyle. There are theories that his initial conviction and death sentence in Ohio were influenced by his prior criminal record, which may have led to harsher sentencing. Additionally, some believe that his eventual release on parole contributed to the subsequent murders he committed in New York, raising questions about the effectiveness of the parole system.
The Lethal Legacy of Leroy Keith
The Beginning of a Dark Path
In the early 20th century, Leroy Keith was born in 1907 in Warren, Ohio, destined to become one of America's most notorious serial killers. His criminal career spanned two states, Ohio and New York, and left a trail of violence in its wake. Keith's journey from small-time criminal to executed murderer paints a chilling picture of how a man consumed by crime can evade justice for years before meeting his inevitable end.
The Murder of Fred Greist
The summer of 1934 brought a violent encounter that set the stage for Keith's future. On July 24, 52-year-old Fred Greist was simply sitting in his parked car in front of a movie theater in Warren, Ohio. It was here that Keith, then a young man with a history of auto theft and burglary, approached him. Demanding that Greist exit the vehicle, Keith shot him in the heart, killing him instantly as soon as Greist stepped out. Although the motive was robbery, the act was brutal and unprovoked.
In the aftermath, Ernest Baugh, another local, claimed that Keith had intended to rob a store and needed a vehicle, implicating him in the murder. Soon after, police captured Keith driving a stolen car from Akron. Convicted of first-degree murder, Keith received a death sentence from Justice Lynn B. Griffith. However, after a retrial and an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, his conviction was reduced to second-degree murder, sparing him the electric chair but condemning him to life imprisonment at Ohio State Penitentiary.
The Infamy of "Cut" Keith
Behind bars, Keith's reputation grew darker. Known as "Cut," he was feared for his violent attacks on fellow inmates, wielding four razor blades simultaneously—two in each hand. December 7, 1936, marked an infamous escape attempt involving Keith and other inmates, including Joseph Filkowski, which ended in failure after they took guards hostage.
Despite his dangerous reputation, Keith's case was reconsidered over the years. In 1945, parole was denied after Justice Griffith warned the board of Keith's menace to society. By 1953, Keith was moved to the London Correctional Facility, and three years later, against Griffith's advice, he was paroled on March 6, 1956. Keith promised the parole board that their leniency would not be forgotten, but his gratitude was short-lived.
The Death of Coburn Von Gunten
Freed but far from reformed, Keith began plotting again. He teamed up with Louis Johnson and Joseph Reinthaler to plan robberies in Youngstown and Akron. On the night before Thanksgiving, 1956, their need for a getaway vehicle led them to Coburn Von Gunten, a 40-year-old executive. When Von Gunten refused to surrender his car, Keith shot him twice. Despite his injuries, Von Gunten managed to drive away but was shot again. A passing police car disrupted Keith's plans, leading to a gunfight and the capture of Reinthaler. Von Gunten succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted to Summa St. Thomas Hospital.
Reinthaler identified his accomplices as Keith and Johnson. While Johnson soon surrendered to police, he denied involvement in other murders and provided an alibi for a double murder in Uniontown. Ballistics confirmed his innocence, but he was convicted in Von Gunten's murder, avoiding execution only due to a jury's recommendation for mercy. Reinthaler was sentenced to a juvenile term in reform school.
The Tragic Fate of David Suro
In December 1956, New York City police were on high alert, suspecting Keith's involvement in a series of robberies. Their search led them to The Bronx, but Keith was on the move. On December 19, 49-year-old cab driver David Suro picked up four passengers, including a man called "Frisco Keith." As they drove through Harlem, Keith and his associate pulled guns on Suro. Spotting a police car, Suro heroically crashed into it, thwarting the robbery. Keith shot Suro twice before fleeing, igniting a city-wide chase.
Cornered by officers, Keith refused to surrender, firing and missing before being shot by Sgt. Richard Boland and Officer James J. Connelly. Keith and Suro were both rushed to Fordham Hospital. Suro died from his injuries, and Keith underwent surgery to remove bullets, cursing his doctors throughout.
Akron detectives arrived to question Keith, who remained uncooperative. The reward for Keith's capture was awarded to Suro's widow, acknowledging her husband's bravery.
The Final Chapter: Trial and Execution
Leroy Keith's reign of terror ended as he awaited trial throughout 1957. By January 1958, he faced justice once more and, after a swift 13-day trial, was sentenced to death. Transferred to Sing Sing, Keith languished without visitors for 18 months. Governors Nelson Rockefeller and Malcolm Wilson delayed his execution twice, but on July 23, 1959, Keith faced the electric chair. His final words expressed disappointment in Governor Rockefeller, acknowledging a grim justice. The execution marked the end of a notorious criminal saga, with Keith's story echoing through the annals of crime history.
See Also
- Capital punishment in New York (state)
- List of people executed in New York
- List of people executed in the United States in 1959
- List of serial killers in the United States
Sources
- "Keith Died in Chair; Killed Greist Here 25 Yrs. Ago Today." Chicago Tribune. July 24, 1959.
- Calvin E. Dewey. "MURDER ON PAROLE, p. 61." Front Page Detective. April 1957.
- "Keith v. State, 53 Ohio App. 58 | Casetext Search + Citator." casetext.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- "Reveal Details of Prison Escape Plot." Delphos Daily Herald. March 14, 1940. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- "EX-CON HUNTED IN 3 SLAYINGS; PAL GIVES UP." Chicago Tribune. November 25, 1957.
- "Widow of Heroic Driver Rewarded." Star Tribune. June 20, 1957.
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First Murder: Fred Greist
Leroy Keith shoots Fred Greist during a robbery attempt in Warren, Ohio.
Escape Attempt
Keith participates in a failed escape attempt from Ohio State Penitentiary.
Parole Granted
Leroy Keith is released on parole after serving time for previous murders.
Murder of Coburn Von Gunten
Keith kills Coburn Von Gunten during a robbery attempt in Youngstown, Ohio.
Capture of Leroy Keith
Keith is captured in New York City after a robbery where cab driver David Suro is shot.
Trial Begins
Leroy Keith's trial begins, leading to his conviction for murder.
Convicted and Sentenced
Keith is found guilty and sentenced to death after a 13-day trial.
Execution
Leroy Keith is executed by electrocution at Sing Sing Prison.
Leroy Keith, an American serial killer, was responsible for the murders of three individuals during a crime spree spanning from November 1934 to December 1956, primarily in Ohio and New York. His first victim, Fred Greist, was shot on July 24, 1934, in Warren, Ohio, during a robbery attempt, leading to Keith's initial conviction for first-degree murder, which was later reduced to second-degree murder on appeal, resulting in a life sentence. After being paroled, Keith killed two more victims in New York before being apprehended in 1959. He was executed by electrocution at Sing Sing Prison on July 23, 1959. Significant evidence included witness testimony linking him to the crimes and a history of violent behavior while incarcerated, which contributed to his notoriety as a dangerous inmate.
Leroy Keith is believed to have committed his murders during robberies, with some speculation suggesting he may have been motivated by a need for money due to his criminal lifestyle. There are theories that his initial conviction and death sentence in Ohio were influenced by his prior criminal record, which may have led to harsher sentencing. Additionally, some believe that his eventual release on parole contributed to the subsequent murders he committed in New York, raising questions about the effectiveness of the parole system.
The Lethal Legacy of Leroy Keith
The Beginning of a Dark Path
In the early 20th century, Leroy Keith was born in 1907 in Warren, Ohio, destined to become one of America's most notorious serial killers. His criminal career spanned two states, Ohio and New York, and left a trail of violence in its wake. Keith's journey from small-time criminal to executed murderer paints a chilling picture of how a man consumed by crime can evade justice for years before meeting his inevitable end.
The Murder of Fred Greist
The summer of 1934 brought a violent encounter that set the stage for Keith's future. On July 24, 52-year-old Fred Greist was simply sitting in his parked car in front of a movie theater in Warren, Ohio. It was here that Keith, then a young man with a history of auto theft and burglary, approached him. Demanding that Greist exit the vehicle, Keith shot him in the heart, killing him instantly as soon as Greist stepped out. Although the motive was robbery, the act was brutal and unprovoked.
In the aftermath, Ernest Baugh, another local, claimed that Keith had intended to rob a store and needed a vehicle, implicating him in the murder. Soon after, police captured Keith driving a stolen car from Akron. Convicted of first-degree murder, Keith received a death sentence from Justice Lynn B. Griffith. However, after a retrial and an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, his conviction was reduced to second-degree murder, sparing him the electric chair but condemning him to life imprisonment at Ohio State Penitentiary.
The Infamy of "Cut" Keith
Behind bars, Keith's reputation grew darker. Known as "Cut," he was feared for his violent attacks on fellow inmates, wielding four razor blades simultaneously—two in each hand. December 7, 1936, marked an infamous escape attempt involving Keith and other inmates, including Joseph Filkowski, which ended in failure after they took guards hostage.
Despite his dangerous reputation, Keith's case was reconsidered over the years. In 1945, parole was denied after Justice Griffith warned the board of Keith's menace to society. By 1953, Keith was moved to the London Correctional Facility, and three years later, against Griffith's advice, he was paroled on March 6, 1956. Keith promised the parole board that their leniency would not be forgotten, but his gratitude was short-lived.
The Death of Coburn Von Gunten
Freed but far from reformed, Keith began plotting again. He teamed up with Louis Johnson and Joseph Reinthaler to plan robberies in Youngstown and Akron. On the night before Thanksgiving, 1956, their need for a getaway vehicle led them to Coburn Von Gunten, a 40-year-old executive. When Von Gunten refused to surrender his car, Keith shot him twice. Despite his injuries, Von Gunten managed to drive away but was shot again. A passing police car disrupted Keith's plans, leading to a gunfight and the capture of Reinthaler. Von Gunten succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted to Summa St. Thomas Hospital.
Reinthaler identified his accomplices as Keith and Johnson. While Johnson soon surrendered to police, he denied involvement in other murders and provided an alibi for a double murder in Uniontown. Ballistics confirmed his innocence, but he was convicted in Von Gunten's murder, avoiding execution only due to a jury's recommendation for mercy. Reinthaler was sentenced to a juvenile term in reform school.
The Tragic Fate of David Suro
In December 1956, New York City police were on high alert, suspecting Keith's involvement in a series of robberies. Their search led them to The Bronx, but Keith was on the move. On December 19, 49-year-old cab driver David Suro picked up four passengers, including a man called "Frisco Keith." As they drove through Harlem, Keith and his associate pulled guns on Suro. Spotting a police car, Suro heroically crashed into it, thwarting the robbery. Keith shot Suro twice before fleeing, igniting a city-wide chase.
Cornered by officers, Keith refused to surrender, firing and missing before being shot by Sgt. Richard Boland and Officer James J. Connelly. Keith and Suro were both rushed to Fordham Hospital. Suro died from his injuries, and Keith underwent surgery to remove bullets, cursing his doctors throughout.
Akron detectives arrived to question Keith, who remained uncooperative. The reward for Keith's capture was awarded to Suro's widow, acknowledging her husband's bravery.
The Final Chapter: Trial and Execution
Leroy Keith's reign of terror ended as he awaited trial throughout 1957. By January 1958, he faced justice once more and, after a swift 13-day trial, was sentenced to death. Transferred to Sing Sing, Keith languished without visitors for 18 months. Governors Nelson Rockefeller and Malcolm Wilson delayed his execution twice, but on July 23, 1959, Keith faced the electric chair. His final words expressed disappointment in Governor Rockefeller, acknowledging a grim justice. The execution marked the end of a notorious criminal saga, with Keith's story echoing through the annals of crime history.
See Also
- Capital punishment in New York (state)
- List of people executed in New York
- List of people executed in the United States in 1959
- List of serial killers in the United States
Sources
- "Keith Died in Chair; Killed Greist Here 25 Yrs. Ago Today." Chicago Tribune. July 24, 1959.
- Calvin E. Dewey. "MURDER ON PAROLE, p. 61." Front Page Detective. April 1957.
- "Keith v. State, 53 Ohio App. 58 | Casetext Search + Citator." casetext.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- "Reveal Details of Prison Escape Plot." Delphos Daily Herald. March 14, 1940. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- "EX-CON HUNTED IN 3 SLAYINGS; PAL GIVES UP." Chicago Tribune. November 25, 1957.
- "Widow of Heroic Driver Rewarded." Star Tribune. June 20, 1957.
No Recent News
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No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
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First Murder: Fred Greist
Leroy Keith shoots Fred Greist during a robbery attempt in Warren, Ohio.
Escape Attempt
Keith participates in a failed escape attempt from Ohio State Penitentiary.
Parole Granted
Leroy Keith is released on parole after serving time for previous murders.
Murder of Coburn Von Gunten
Keith kills Coburn Von Gunten during a robbery attempt in Youngstown, Ohio.
Capture of Leroy Keith
Keith is captured in New York City after a robbery where cab driver David Suro is shot.
Trial Begins
Leroy Keith's trial begins, leading to his conviction for murder.
Convicted and Sentenced
Keith is found guilty and sentenced to death after a 13-day trial.
Execution
Leroy Keith is executed by electrocution at Sing Sing Prison.