Al Capone In Courtroom During His 1931 Tax Evasion Trial

June 19, 2021

Al Capone, known as Snorky or the “Big Fellow,” rose to prominence as one of Chicago’s most violent and lucrative crime bosses in American history. Like John Gotti and Vito Genovese, Capone’s name became as well known as Babe Ruth’s throughout the land of opportunity. 

Al Capone, center, in federal court in Chicago during his 1931 tax-evasion trial, with lawyers Michael Ahern, left, and Albert Fink. Colorized by Frederick Duriez.

Born and raised in New York, Capone life’s reads like a Hollywood movie, probably because it became one. Iconic names like “Five Points,” “The Untouchables,” and “Alcatraz '' dot his biography. He became the first “Public Enemy Number One” and one of the first to receive penicillin. Here’s a glimpse into the infamously savage mob boss.

Coming Up

From bar bouncer to Chicago crime lord. (Flickr)

Capone started as a member of multiple Brooklyn gangs, where he was born and raised. The South Brooklyn Rippers, Junior Forty Thieves, James Street Boys gang, and Five Point Gang, made up his criminal resumé at that point. Eventually, his mob boss mentor Johnny Torrio lured him from New York to Chicago. History cites two theories for that portentous move.