Killing the Poormaster
The Depression-Era Murder That Put America's Welfare System on Trial
Holly Metz
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A gripping true crime saga of poverty, corruption, and murder during the Great Depression.
In 1938 Hoboken, NJ, reviled poormaster Harry Barck is found dead, and unemployed mason Joe Scutellaro is charged with murder. Was it a crime of passion, or a desperate act against a corrupt system?
Holly Metz's Killing the Poormaster delves into a forgotten chapter of American history, revealing:
- The brutal realities of poverty during the Depression
- The dark underbelly of political machines
- A gripping courtroom drama with a shocking verdict
For fans of Erik Larson and true crime enthusiasts, this is a chilling and relevant tale of social injustice and the fight for survival.
Contributor Bio
Holly Metz has written about law, culture, and social issues for a broad range of newspapers, journals, and magazines, including Labor History, Poets & Writers, Metropolis, the Progressive, and the New York Times.
