Harry Strauss

Harry Strauss (1908-1941) was a contract killer for Murder, Inc in 1930’s. He tried to be creative in his killings.

Harry “Pittsburgh Phil” Strauss was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In the 1930s he resorted to assaults, larceny, and drug dealing. He was arrested 18 times but was never convicted.

Strauss’ favorite weapons were guns, ice pick and strangling rope although he never carried any weapons unless he was doing a killing. In one case he reputedly intended to kill his victim with a fire axe he found in the spot. He might kill his victim in public. One of his victims he tied to a pinball machine. He is known to have killed 100 people although some estimates run to 500.

He was also prominent womanizer and liked fancy clothes.

After Abe Reles turned informant, Strauss was arrested for a murder of Puggy Feinstein and five other murders. He tried to avoid conviction by feigning insanity in the courtroom and even in the death row. He was executed in an electric chair in June 12 1941.