Harry Keywell
Harry Keywell, born December 8, 1910, died August 30 1997, was a convicted member of Detroit's infamous Purple Gang, which terrorized the city of Detroit during Prohibition. Chicago Police questioned him about the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre in February 1929, on the suspicion that Keywell acted as a lookout for the killers. Harry had a cast-iron alibi for the day, however.
After his arrest for involvement in the Collingwood Manor Massacre on September 16, 1931, Keywell was sentenced to life at the prison in Marquette, Michigan. Keywell was eventually paroled at the age of 54 on October 21, 1965. Because of the involvement of his brother Phil Keywell, he was released early for good behavior.
Harry married Sarah (Gold) Keywell, and lived out his days as a productive member of society and family man, until his death of Alzheimer's disease in August 1997.
References
- Paul R. Kavieff (2005). The Purple Gang: Organized Crime in Detroit 1910-1945. ISBN 1-56980-281-5.