Philip Davidson

Who is Philip Davidson?

Philip "Red Phil" Davidson was an American criminal and underworld figure in New York City during the early 20th century. A known associate of Jack Sirocco, a lieutenant in Paul Kelly's Five Points Gang, he was responsible for the 1912 murder of Eastman Gang leader "Big" Jack Zelig, though at the time of his arrest police were unable to find a police record.

A retired Russian Jewish fruit peddler living at 111 E. Seventh Street, Davidson shot and killed New York gang leader "Big" Jack Zelig while on a Thirteenth Street trolley on October 5, 1912 following an altercation during a card game at a local cafe. It was suggested immediately that Zelig's murder was an attempt to keep him from testifying against Charles Becker in the Rosenthal murder case involving the Lenox Avenue Gang. However, Davidson later turned himself into authorities, telling police that Zelig had attacked him with a blackjack and robbed him, and that revenge for these acts was his motive for killing Zelig.

Although Zelig was scheduled to testify during Becker's trial regarding his connection to the Rosenthal murder case, police were unable to find any connection between Davidson and Becker.