John Dillinger Convicted, Sentenced to 10-20 Years in Prison

Edgar Singleton told Dillinger of a local grocer who would be carrying his daily receipts on his way from work to the barbershop.

Singleton suggested Dillinger could easily rob the elderly grocer for the cash he would be carrying while Singleton waited for him in a getaway car down the street. The incident did not go well. Dillinger was armed with a .32 caliber and pistol and a large bolt wrapped in a handkerchief. He came up behind the grocer and clubbed him over the head with the bolt, but the grocer turned and grabbed Dillinger and the gun, forcing it to discharge. Dillinger thought he had shot the grocer and took off running down the street to meet Singleton's getaway car. There was no one there and he was soon caught by the police.

The local prosecutor convinced Dillinger's father that if his son pleaded guilty the court would be lenient. However, that was the extent of his legal assistance. Dillinger, Jr. appeared in court without a lawyer and without his father. The court threw the book at him: 10 to 20 years in prison, even though it was his first conviction. Singleton, who had a prison record, was also caught. He served less than two years of his two to four year sentence, thanks to having a lawyer.

Dillinger remained unable to find a job, and began planning a robbery with friend Ed Singleton. The two robbed a local grocery store, but were soon captured by police. Singleton pleaded not-guilty, but Dillinger's father convinced him to confess to the crime and plead guilty. Dillinger was convicted of assault and battery with intent to rob, and conspiracy to commit a felony. He was sentenced to ten to twenty years in prison for his crimes.[