In 1924, Bernice Zalimas was accused of poisoning her husband in Chicago, Illinois. But did she really, or was she the victim of vicious rumors?
Sources
Blonde Widow Thinks Zalimas Poisoned Self. Chicago Tribune, 12/03/1924
Widow Questioned. Photo, Bernice Zalimas. Chicago Tribune, 12/03/1924
Zalimas’ Widow Held to Grand Jury as Slayer. Chicago Tribune, 12/10/1924
Swears Widow in Murder Trial Bought Arsenic. Chicago Tribune, 05/07/1925
Woman Denies Poison Killing at Murder Trial. Chicago Tribune, 05/08/1925
Fate of Zalimas Widow in Hands of Jury Tonight. Chicago Tribune, 05/09/1925
Pretty Face, but Mrs. Zalimas Is Found Guilty. Chicago Tribune, 5/10/1925.
Mrs. Zalimas Hopes Yet to Dodge Prison. Chicago Tribune, 05/11/1925
Mrs. Zalimas Will Seek New Trial, Lawyers Say. Chicago Tribune, 05/12/1925
Husband’s Slayer Applies For New Trial. Photo, Bernice Zalimas. Chicago Tribune, 05/12/1925
Mrs. Zalimas Given 14 Year Term for Murder. Chicago Tribune, 06/12/1925
Faints When Given Fourteen Year Term. Picture, Bernice Zalimas. Chicago Tribune, 06/12/1925
Woman Guilty of Mate’s Death Seeks Insurance. Chicago Tribune, 08/30/1925
Mrs. Zalimas Wins Delay in Start of Prison Term. Chicago Tribune, 09/16/1925
Mrs. Zalimas is Happy at News of New Trial. Chicago Tribune, 12/18/1925
Bernice Zalimas Facing Retrial as Husband Killer. Chicago Tribune, 1/16/1926
State to Try Mrs. Zalimas Again for Murder. Chicago Tribune, 1/16/1926
Mrs. Zalimas Stays in Jail to Await New Trial. Chicago Tribune, 1/19/1925
Mrs. Zalimas Out on Bail; To Rest Awaiting Retrial. Chicago Tribune, 1/21/1926
Mrs. Zalimas Again on Trial as Poison Wife. Chicago Tribune, 4/20/1926
On Trial Again. Picture, Bernice Zalimas. Chicago Tribune, 4/20/1926
Bernice Zalimas Sobs and Rages at Poison Query. Chicago Tribune, 4/23/1926
Mrs. Zalimas is Acquitted of Slaying Mate. Chicago Tribune, 4/24/1926
Attorney Eats Poison in Court; Wins Case. The Buffalo Times, 4/26/1926
Bernice Zalimas Holds Spotlight at Durkin Trial. 06/05/1926
Why the Lawyer Ate Poison to Save His Lovely Client. Times Record News, 6/16/1926
Mrs. Zalimas, Once Feed of Slaying, Weds. Chicago Tribune, 11/24/1926
Herrick, Genevive Forbes. Ladies in Crime – Benice Zalimas – Two Trials and Out. Chicago Tribune, 4/24/1927
“Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916–1947.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original records.
Year: 1920; Census Place: Chicago Ward 29, Cook (Chicago), Illinois; Roll: T625_345; Page: 34A; Enumeration District: 1760
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