Frank Swavely, age 35, also known as "Monk" was serving time in the Berks County Jail on charges of attempted criminal assault. He had been incarcerated since June 14, 1915 and was serving a one year sentence. Frank had spent more than a dozen years of his life behind prison bars, serving nine sentences in the reformatory, prison and penitentiary. He had been in jail almost continuously since the age of 14. The majority of his crimes were larceny. Swavely was housed in cell No. 42 with Michael Pettinger, age 36. Pettinger had been in jail since February 1915, serving a year's sentence on charges of assault and battery with intent to kill. On July 19, 1915, at about 6:30 in the morning, Pettinger first stunned Swavely by hitting him in the head with a heavy article. He then cut Swavely's throat with a kitchen knife that had been furnished by the jail. After killing Swavely, Pettinger ended his own life by hanging himself with a cord on the window of the cell.

From the Death Certificate:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Certificate of Death
Place of Death: Berks County Jail, Ward 16, Reading, Berks Co.
Full Name: Frank Swavely
Male, White, Single
Date of Birth: Sept. 9, 1879
Age: 35 years
Occupation: Laborer
Birthplace: Penna
Name and Birthplace of Father: Mathias Swavely, Penna.
Maiden Name of Mother: Amelia Stoudt, Penna
Informant: Miss Gertrude Jones, 1263 Buttonwood St.
Date of Death: July 19, 1915
Time of Death: 6:30 am
Cause of Death: Table knife cut of throat. Homicide Code 183
Length of Residence at place of death: 3 months, 15 days
Length of Residence in the State: 35 years, 10 months, 10 days
Date of Burial: July 23, 1915
Place of Burial: Chas. Evans. Cemetery
Undertaker: Theo C. Auman