In 1924, legendary boxer, “Kid McCoy” saw his reputation tarnished forever
Norman Selby, known professionally as “Kid McCoy” was Born in 1872. McCoy was a celebrated boxer, known for his crafty and unorthodox fighting style. This includes his famous ‘corkscrew punch’. His success in the ring made him a prominent figure in the early 20th century. Out of his 100 total fights he won 79 of them. Fifty-nine of those were knock outs.
When McCoy wasn’t boxing he was often seen with various ladies. Between 1895 and 1940 he was married at least twelve times.
His move into acting
After his successful boxing career, where he became a well-known figure, Kid McCoy leveraged his fame to transition into acting, a common path for athletes of his time who sought new opportunities after their sports careers ended. Between 1916 and 1924, McCoy (Selby) acted in sixteen various films and shorts.
McCoy Murders Mors
On August 12th, 1924, Kid McCoy was arrested for the murder of Theresa Mors, a wealthy widow with whom he had a tumultuous relationship. Mors was found dead in her Los Angeles apartment, shot with McCoy’s gun.
McCoy was found in a state of distress at the scene and was arrested shortly after. Reports indicate that he had spent hours drinking and became increasingly erratic in his behavior, leading up to the tragic event.
The Trial
McCoy’s trial was sensational, drawing significant media attention due to his celebrity status and the lurid details of the case. The prosecution argued that McCoy had murdered Mors in a fit of jealousy. The defense, however, claimed it was a suicide, and McCoy was innocent.
Despite the defense’s best efforts, Kid McCoy was convicted of manslaughter, rather than murder, largely because the jury believed he had acted in a moment of emotional distress rather than with premeditation.
His time in San Quentin
McCoy was sentenced to ten years in prison. He served his time at San Quentin State Prison, where he reportedly became a model prisoner. While there he served as a member of the prison’s fire brigade. Inmates who were part of this team were responsible for responding to fires within the prison and sometimes in the surrounding areas. Being part of the fire brigade was considered a privileged position, often assigned to inmates who demonstrated good behavior and reliability.
Out on Parole
McCoy was paroled in 1932 after serving a little less than eight years. He moved to Detroit, Michigan and was hired by the Ford Motor Company.
The Kid’s End
Despite the job with Ford, McCoy struggled to rebuild his life. The stigma of his criminal conviction, combined with the decline of his fame, left him isolated and in a precarious state. His mental health deteriorated as he struggled to find purpose and stability after the many turbulent years of his life.
On April 18th, 1940, McCoy committed suicide by ingesting sleeping pills in a rooming house in Detroit, Michigan. His body was discovered by the landlady, who alerted authorities. He left behind a note.
“To all my friends—good luck and goodbye. Please pray for me. For I go the long last mile to Mother. Sorry I could not endure this world’s madness.”
The news of Kid McCoy’s suicide was met with sadness and reflection on the tragic trajectory of his life. Once celebrated as a charismatic and successful athlete, his life had taken a dramatic downturn, leading to a lonely and sorrowful end.
Despite his manslaughter conviction, McCoy was elected to the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1957 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
Leave a Reply