October 1957
Jury called today in O'Kasick case
October 1957
Jury called today in O'Kasick case
By PEG JOHNSON
Minneapolis Tribune Staff Writer
Minneapolis Tribune
George M. Scott, Hennepin county attorney, Monday called a grand jury for 9:30 a.m. today to consider possible charges of murder, assault and kidnapping against James O'Kasick.
Scott said he would seek Indictments against the surviving member of the O'Kasick brothers trio for:
First degree murder in the slaying of Minneapolis Patrolman Robert Fossum during a gun battle Aug.17 on W. Thirty-ninth Street near Blaisdell Avenue.
First degree assault with intent to kill in the critical wounding of Patrolman Ward Canfield, Fossum's Partner.
Kidnapping of Mrs. Alvin Anderson, 9448 Clinton Avenue, Bloomington in the flight after the shooting.
Using automobile without owner's permission. Police said the O'Kasicks used at least three stolen cars in the chase which resulted after Fossum and Canfield apprehended them. Mrs. Anderson's car was one of them.
James O'Kasick, 20; is in critical condition in General hospital from a self-inflicted chest wound. He shot himself after officers shot and killed his brothers Roger, 26, and Ronald, 24, in a gunfight in an Anoka county game refuge Saturday
JAMES ADMITTED shooting Canfield, but said Roger killed Fossum, according to police. Roger also killed the brothers' hostage in the Anoka county gunfight. Eugene Lindgren, 30, rural Anoka.
Charges in the Lindgren, slaying or the wounding of an Anoka county deputy sheriff, James A. Sampson, would come from Anoka county authorities.
Robert W. Johnson, Anoka county attorney, said yesterday, officials there are continuing their investigation of the shootings but have not decided definitely what action they will take.
PENALTIES for the charges Scott seeks against O'Kasick could be: a life term in Stillwater, prison for murder; up to 40 years for kidnapping and 5 to 10 years for assault.
O'Kasick could be sent to Stillwater instead of put under youth conservation commission authority despite the fact he is a minor, if he is charged with murder, Scott said.
James O'Kasick Indicted ---- Oct. 31, 1957
Testimony of Velma Anderson --- Tribune - November 14, 1957
How O'Kasicks met their death --- Star - November 14, 1957
The Verdict --- Tribune - November 16, 1957
Minneapolis Police Journal Cover --- Nov/Dec 1957
Trust fund article --- unknown date
Fossum Painting Unveiled --- February 20, 1958
O'Kasick Denies Anoka Charges --- Tribune - February 21, 1958
O'Kasick Guilty in Murder of Lindgren --- Tribune - May 15, 1958
Ward Canfield Is Home Again --- Tribune - April 1958
O'Kasick Hears Up to 70 Years Added to Term --- Tribune - May 21, 1958
A Year Ago...365 Day's of Bloody Memories --- Star - August 16, 1958
Ward Canfield Weaves His Way Back to Health --- Tribune - August 24, 1958
James O'Kasick Stabs Self to Death --- Star - September 15, 1958
O'Kasick Brothers Bodies Examined --- Star - February 7, 1959
O'Kasicks Not Shot by Pistol, But Pathologist Raps Coroner --- Star - February 11, 1959
35th anniversary article From September 1992 Show-Up
Ward Canfield, who survived '57 attack, dies --- StarTribune March 4, 2000
Officer's death years later is homicide --- StarTribune - March 7, 2000