Torn from today’s Headlines (in 1949).
District Attorney William McCauley today charged Milton Babich with the murder Patricia Birmingham, pretty 16-year-old high school student and the sister of his wife, Kathleen. After 48 hours of relentless questioning by police Babich, 19, today was charged with the murder of pretty 16-year-old Patricia Birmingham. The charge was filed by District Attorney William McCauley at 12:40 p. m.
in the office of the county clerk. warrant charged Babich with committing first degree murder under malice aforethought.. Under the terms of the charge Babich is accused slaying the sister of his wife, Kathleen, with whom he a little over a week ago. Patricia was reported missing Feb. 10.
McCauley’s action is expected to wipe out any possibility of court action this afternoon when police are scheduled to appear at a writ of habeas corpus action in which Babich’s family are seeking to set him free. Legal sources were quick point out, however, that the new charge would have the effect of delaying any action on the writ which was for charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. They also pointed out that the new charge will allow police to hold Babich at least until at least Monday.
There seemed to be no reason why Milton Babich should become anything but a model citizen: Certainly, he was a model boy. But something went wrong and that is why Milwaukee is so bewildered by it all. Milton Babich, at 19, faces life in prison, if convicted of the first degree murder with which he is charged. The state of Wisconsin says that this good-looking, well-mannered quiet youth killed 16-year-old Patricia Birmingham. It charges that he did so because Patricia was flippant about her sister’s pregnancy – the sister, Kathleen, 17, with whom Milton had been keeping company, he eloped two days before Patricia’s bullet-pierced, weighted body was found in the Milwaukee river.
Mostly, those who find the story incredible are the people who knew Milton best before this happened. They knew him as president of his class at suburban West Allis Central high school, as vice-president of the senior student council, winner of scholastic honors, editor of the school paper. They knew him as an industrious lad who saved $1400, who never got into fights or trouble of any sort, who objected to profanity, who had an intelligence quotient of 120, a youth embarking on a college career.
You just never know – here is an interview with District Attorney Mc Auley who got the confession based on “a hunch” as it was broadcast March 26, 1949 over WISN, Milwaukee.
