The Bismarck tribune., 1931-10-06
HARVEY MAN SENT
TO PRISON AFTER
C0NFESSING CRIME
Pleads Guilty to First.Degree
Murder In District Court
Here
TELLS STORY OF SLAYlNG
Says Argument Caused Him to
Hit Wife With Hammer
and Burn Body
TELLS STORY OF SLAYlNG

Six hours after he recounted to
authorities how he struck his wife
with a claw-hammer and burned her
body In the family automobile, Jacob
Bentz, 49, Harvey plumber, began
serving life term In the state peni-
tentiary here Mnoday night.
He confessed to Wells county auth
critics in the bedroom where he had
attacked his wife. and then signiflcd
his willingness to plead guilty to
first-degree murder charge.
Bentzs confession came at noon
Monday at Harvey. He was brought
to Bismarck where he appeared be-
fore Judge Fred Jansonius in Bur-
leigh county district court and short
ly after 5 p. m, pleaded guilty and
heard the sentence Of life imprison-
ment imposed. He was taken to the
penitentiary at 6 p. m.
His commitment brought to an
end one OF the strangest crimes IN
the states history and was q climax
to the gruesome story Of the murder
in which Bent1 claimed he originally
contemplated taking his own life.
Blames Argument
1T all happened through an argu-
ment," he told Judge Jansouius. II
love her yet. lost my head when
we argued. intended to kill myself
too. felt SO sorry. It wouldn't have
happened If we hadn't quarreled."
Bentz placed the time Of the argu-
ment with his wife as after a. m.
last Friday. He said he took q ham
mer to bed with him after the srgu-
ment and struck his wife a. she pre-
pared to retire.
He then placed her In their auto
mobile, apparently while she was still
alive, drove to . secluded spot eight
miles southwest Of Harvey, and ran
the car into tho ditch. He maintained
the automobile caught fire when It
plunged off tho road for . drop Of
about 10 feet. But authorities said
indications were he set fire to the
car.
Bentz, father Of six children, mar
rted his wife. Sophia, two years ago.
She had two daughters.
Mrs. Bentz was reputed to have an
estate valued at approximately $7s,-
600, but through pre-nuptial agree
ment Bentz was to receive little OF
her estate in event Of death.
Asked Insurance Policy
After he struck her with the ham
mer. Bentz admitted, he phoned q
NoceAndap, 3nc,vyo ma voay9 A~A aslraI
that accident policies Of 5000 be
written on both his and his wife's
lives. He then started out for the
spot where tho car was found burned.
Bentz claimed the killing was the
outgrowth of an argument, while
authorities believed his motive was to
cash In" on the insurance policy he
had purchased after his attack.
Mrs. Bentz's daughter and the slain
wonans brother-in-law, after their
arrival at Harvey, became suspicious
Of the circumstances and asked
authorities to investigate. although
the crime had aroused no suspicion
up to that time.
Gunder Osjord, head OF the state
bureau Of criminal apprehension
States Attorney John Layne Of Wells
county, Sheriff A. F. Belcher, and
Deputy Sheriff George Kunkel began
the investigation which led to Bentz's
confession when confronted with
facts uncovered by the officers.
Crime Reconstructed
Authorities said investigation and
Continued on Page 81