Preview
Identifier
KF 223 .K5 W5 1830
Creation Date
1830
Description
Trial of George Crowninshield, J.J. Knapp, Jun. and John Francis Knapp. reported by John W. Whitman. Boston: Beals and Homer, and Frances Ingraham, 1830.
Captain Joseph White was an extremely wealthy man living in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1830 he was found dead in his home, having been struck on the head and stabbed. The husband of Joseph’s grandniece and his brother, Joe Knapp Jr. and Frank Knapp had offered to pay Richard and George Crowninshield to kill Joseph. Joe Jr. confessed that they attempted to steal and destroy Joseph's will in hopes his fortune would be divided among his living relatives, including Joe Jr.'s mother-in-law. Richard Crowninshield committed suicide in prison before he could stand trial. Lawyer Daniel Webster led the prosecution. The Knapp brothers were found guilty and sentenced to death. After providing an alibi, George Crowninshield was acquitted.