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In the year 1929, many pictures came up surrounding the trial of a small, almost pixie like young man named Willie Doody. He was on trial for being an “alleged gangster”. It seems hard to believe that this small and innocent looking young individual is heading to a conviction for being apart of a mob. I think that many others find this hard to believe as well, and this may be why he is called an “alleged” gangster instead of just a mean and dirty gangster. “Gangster” during this time period was associated with Al Capone, and certainly the young Doody didn’t fit the description of Al Capone.

In the first picture, of Willie looking at the camera shows him casting a very innocent look, crossing his arms awkwardly across his small frame. He certainly doesn’t look like a gangster; he looks well kempt, wearing a nice, crisp white collared shirt and brushed hair.

The second picture shows him sitting with his lawyer, perhaps during the trial. His attorney is leaning over and whispering something in his ear. He is obviously saying something good, because Doody has broken out a huge cherub-like smile. He looks happy and innocent, and his attorney looks like a nice man. They are both well dressed in suits, hair combed back. They look like old friends.

The third picture features Doody walking down a hallway in a jail, still dressed up in his nice suit. He is walking extremely close to the bailiff, as if he is nervous or hesitant about what’s going to happen next. The jail is dark and empty, all stone walls and bars.

Surprisingly, records of Willie Doody are not easily found online, which leads me to believe that nothing super interesting became of him. I have a feeling that because of his innocent looks, whatever crime he was involved in, didn’t land him in jail for the rest of his life. Which is a reminder to us all to not judge someone before we know all the details.