The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-03-27
LAD FREED OF
THEFT CHARGE
Jury Finds Knobloch Not
Guilty of BurgIarizing
Andrae Store.
OUT JUST % MINUTES
Knobloch Acquittal Is Second
Victory for Attorney Steph-
son in 80 Minutes.

1872 Rowland avenue, was acquitted
of burglarizing the confectionery store
of Paul Andrae by jury in circuit
court yesterday. The jury deliberated
on the verdict for % minutes. :
Knobloch was arrested by Lit.
Charles Rock at the Nash plant, where
he's employed, two days after the burg
larry of the store occurred on January
II. Emil Meissner testified that he in
company with Rock and Detective
John Breidt, had searched the lads
room and found several boxes OF
cigars tha state alleged had been
stolen from Andrae's store which Is
located lon the corner of Salem avenue
and Charles street.
The state also produced witness
who testified that he had seen Knob
II och come out of the store early Mon
/ day morning with his arms full of
bundles, and had at that inc asked him
IF he~was moving away the. store"
Stephenson Handles Defense.
Paul Andrae, owner of the store was
the first witness called. He testified
I that the rear door of his store had
TANNED on account of the cold wealth
er and that he had not been able to
shut it for several days. He said that
the way he had locked it was by push
ing a heavy ice cream table against it.
He testified under the questioning of
District Attorney Morris Barnett that
the following morning he had found
the place had been robbed and had
notified the police.
Under cross examination he ad-
mitted that he had on several occa-
sions announced a Willingness to &C
cept the value Of the merchandise
which had been stolen and drop the
case. He said that he had fixed the
value of the goods at from $50 to
5000 at different times.
Under direct examination from Mr..
Barnett, he stated that he had never
sold, or given away a box of cigars
which the state introduced in evil
dence. This was the box of cigars
which the police had found in Knob
loch's room. Jean Andrae, brother
of Paul, who worked as clerk in the
store, testified to the same thing
Under cross examination by the de-
tense he admitted that they had
punch board in the store "to move
the Christmas stock" He said that it
was the custom to allow the winners
to take their winnings out in any OF
the stock in the store.
Admits Boys Winning.
Paul under examination by Mr.
Stephenson, admitted that Knobloch
in company with three other lads had
won $18 worth of merchandise on the
Saturday afternoon, directly previous
to the burglary, and that the boys had
taken the winning out in trade. They
took several boxes Of cigars, some
cigarettes, candy and fruit, he said.
He denied, however, that he had given
out the box of Harvesters which were
introduced in evidence.
Stanley Stencil, former acquaint-
ance of Knobloch's, who was located
| by the police in Chicago and had
been brought to Kenosha to testify
against Knobloch, said that he had
been passing the store and had seen
Knobloch come out of the back door
loaded with bundles and had asked
him if he was moving away the place.
| Under cross examination he was
forced to admit that he had made his
Identification from the burglars back.
/ The burglar had driven away in car,
and. when Attorney Stephenson asked
him if he had not looked in the car
to make sure that his Identification
was correct, he admitted that he had.
He also admitted that he was unable
| to see the faces of the occupants as
the car passed him.
| Martin Jensen, landlord of Knob
loch's testified that the boy had given
i him a cigar from box which he said
he had won at Andrae's store. This
was on the Saturday previous to the
robbery. He said that Knobloch at
that time had another box of cigars
| in a package which he announced he
was going to send to his father up
north. Mrs. Jensen also took the stand
and corroborated this statement.
| Ed. Nicoli, roommate of Knobloch's
testified that they had been together
all during the evening when the burg
| larry took place, and traced their move
ments all during the evening. Others
who testified to having been with
Knobloch at the time of the winning
punches on the board or who saw him
at various places during the night in
question, were James Barrett, Louis
Miller and George Smith.
| Knobloch then took the stand in his
own defense. He corroborated all the
/ testimony given by his companians
and traced his movements all during
the night of the robbery, under the
rapid questioning of Attorney Step
henson. He specifically denied that he
had ever taken thing FROM the store.
The lad made good appearance on
the stand, and answered the questions
/ in straightforward fashion. He said
that he was employed at the Nash
plant and that at present was making
about SO a day. Never once did he
hesitate or grope for an answer.
When the jury returned with the find
ing and he was dismissed by Judge E..
B. Belden, he STEPPED forward and
thanked each of the jurors.