Ilija Martinovich, Officer Nick Aleksich’s cousin, shot and killed Aleksich on one of Butte’s main streets February 28, 1937 because he thought Aleksich was a “wizard” and “always caused me trouble.”  Ilija Martinovich spent six years saving money for his defense to the murder charge he was to face after deciding in 1931 that Nicholas Aleksich was a “wizard” who must be killed.  Martinovich was a former inmate of the state hospital at Warm Springs. He was tried for the slaying of Aleksich.  Martinovich was committed to Warm Springs State Hospital postponing indefinitely the trial for murder.

The Montana Standard, Butte, Montana  March 3, 1937

The Montana Standard, Butte, Montana – March 5, 1937