The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-17
Jury Made No Recommendation for
Mercy. and He VIII Go to the
Electric Chair at Columbus.
HAD CONFESSED MANY CRIMES
INCLUDING THE KILLING OF IDA
GERHARD AT INDIANAPOLIS.
Spent Half His Life i'm Prison, and
Married i'm This City shortly
Before His Arrest.

HAMILTON. O., July 16.-Alfred Knapp
was convicted of murder in the first degree
for the murder of his wife Hannah Cod
dard Knapp, here to-day. The verdict was
reported at 7:30 o'clock, the jury having
been out since o'clock last night. To the
surprise of everybody there was no recon-
mendation of mercy, and the notorious
criminal must go to the electric chair. 1t
was thought the long elaboration meant
that the degree of the crime would be re-
duced. The jury stood ten for conviction
without mercy and two for conviction with
mercy, being unanimous for guilt. Repeat
ed ballots were taken, and shortly after
o'clock it was found that an agreement had
been reached. Judge Belden was sent for
and arrived about 7:30.
Knapp was brought into court by Sheriff
Bisdorff. There were few spectators pres
ent and there was no excitement. Knapp
took his seat quietly and did not appear
alarmed. When the verdict was returned
convicting him without recommendation of
mercy he did not show any sign of emotion
or make any comment. He seemed to have
steeled himself for the ordeal Knapp was
taken back to Jail at once, and Sheriff Bis
dorf will allow no outsiders to see him. The
result of the trial is accepted with great
satisfaction by the public, as hope of con-
viction became low when the jury remained
out so long. Knapp's mother and sister
were very much affected when they heard
the verdict. The case will be carried higher
on the usual appeals, but 1t is generally be-
lieved that Knapp will now be electro
cuted.
The five cases to which Knapp confessed
Feb. 26 to officials here as follows:
Emma Littlemann killed in lumber yard
at Cincinnati June II, 1894.
May Eckert, murdered in room on Walnut
street, Cincinnati. Aug. /, 1894.
Jennie Knapp, thrown into canal at Lib
erty street Cincinnati. Aug. Z. 1894
Ida Gerhard. strangled at Indianapolis In
July, 1895.
Hannah Knapp. murdered at Hamilton
Dec p. 1902, and thrown into the river at
Lindenwald.
Regarding the killing of his wife, Hannah
Goddard Knapp, for whose murder he has
been convicted. he said that when he awoke
the morning of the crime he was seized
with an impulse to strange his wife. After
killing her he got box and nailed the body
in it, hauled it two miles from here and
threw the corpse into the Miami river The
body was found March in the river at New
Albany. Ind.
prison, but for the five murders which he
confessed he had gone unsupported until
few unguarded words dropped by him set
the law upon him. For years he had been
nocent children and choking them to death.
He was twice in state prison for fiendish
assaults on women. Insanity was the only
defense made by his parents and sisters. as
we'll as his attorneys. All of his victims
were strangled
Knapps first wife was Emma Stubbs Of
Fort WAYNE. She secured a divorce
Knapp's fourth and surviving wife lives at
Indianapolis, where he was arrested last
February No visitors were allowed to see
Inxr aff
ton Knapp said Il suppose it's all of
with ma"