Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-12-01
SENTENCE OFJ.J. KNAPP.


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SENTENCE OFF. J. KNAPP.
On Tuesday afternoon, Joseph Jenkins
Knapp, Jr. was brought into Court TO re-
ceivo The awful sentence ofthe law, which
was pronounced with great soemnIty and
impressiycness by Judge Putnam, as fol-
lows:
,Iosspi Jcakins Knapp, Jr.
You have been regularly indicted,
tried, and convicted, as an accessory be-
tore the fact 10 John Francis Knapp, in
the murder of Joseph White. You have
had counsel ass gned. at your request, to
assist in your defence, VIII have, with
great fidelity and ability, urged All matters,
whether Of fact or Of law, which could be
suggested. But, after great consideration,
the Jury of your own selection have found
you guilty; and The Attorney General, in
Inc name Of tho Commonwealth, hath de-
maudod Of The Court that the sentence OF
the law should now be passed against you.
Upon an inquiry in tha; behalf, you have
shown no cause or reason why the Court
should not now comply with that demand.
Before we perform hat duty, we are de-
srous Of preparing your mind, 50 far as 1t
ia in our power, to meet tho tremendous
doom which awaits you.
Il is not to aggravate your sulftrDgs that
We address you; for your present wretch.
edness excite feelings of compassionate and
not of indignation. But we hope that by
presenting to YOUR view somo of the horrl-
bic circumstances which have attended the
crime for which you are to suffer, we may
lead you 10 sincere conlriton and repent
ance.
The aged sufferer was a near relative to
your wife. She was nurtured at his house,
and loved and cherished by him as a child
You were admitted TO pa take Of bis
hospitality. You availed yourself Of the
opportunities to visit at the house Of the
deceased, to prepare the way for the en-
trance Of your hired assassin, to the bed
chamber Of the victim.
You were for months deliberately oc-
.cupied in devislag the ways and means Of
his death. Horrible to think while you
we're eating his bread, at his own table,
you were plotting against his life.
The execution Of this awful conspiracy
spread dismay, anxiety and dislrust thro'
the country.
Week after week passed away, and left
the dreadful deed yelled in mystery. At
length a discovery was made by means
almost as extraordinary as was the crime.
II such events had been set .juh in q
work o! fiction, they would have beon con.
sidored a. too absurd and unnatural for
public endurance. The story would have
been treated rs a libel upon man.
Who would have imagined that young,
we'll educated men, having respectable
connections and means of living, could
have been found in orr cultivated society.
ready 10 join in such fearful conspiracy?
Who would have imagined that the clue
10 The discovery should have been given by
one wholly unknown 10 the author and bro.
curer OF The murder, and that he himself
should have put it into the hands Of the
trends Of the deceased
!" no that considers these things. wall
'a'l to discover an overriding Providence
winch 0aliles all human devices and con.
irlvances to conceal great and deadly
crimes : ''y
This murder was done with the CREATES, /
secrecy-ia the hour Of ninh,-bv The /
bands OF the assassin alone-Wbo escaocJ /
rom on. Tie house without discovery.
= he knowledge Of the crime wa, con.
y 70 The breasts Of the consp;rators-l
oul they could rot keep II there. ltwould
And what was done in secret. and in
Ia AheSs' IS now, by tue conspiralors them.
'elTes' made manifest 10 the world
one Of these miserable men has perisbed
y ais own hand. The arm Of Justice hath
''e' ! mother, who has suiJsred an 10.
pun. death; and the same penalty 7s
S Sout % be required OF YOU, who were the
/. :a ,tS author, contrves, aud procurer.
-. ,ie wicked sed and profiigate win note well
- 80 ,, s1Iui events. They will, they must '
80 misery dIsgrare ignominy and death. )