Trial of John Francis Knapp as Principal in the Second Degree...
The Jury Could Not Decide: McDade 572 [Trial]. Knapp, John Francis, Defendant. Trial of John Francis Knapp as Principal in the Second Degree for the Murder of Capt. Joseph White, Before the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, At a Special Session, Commenced at Salem, July 20, 1830. Reported for the Publishers. Boston: Published by Dutton and Wentworth, 1830. 60 pp. Woodcut maps and illustration of the murder weapon. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Negligible light soiling to exterior, tiny smudge to title page, light toning. A nice copy of a scarce title. $500. * Only edition. The murder of Joseph White, a wealthy retired sea captain, a conspiracy by a relative, Joseph Knapp, who hired his brother John Francis Knapp and the brothers Richard and George Crowninshield, was one of the most famous trials of the 1830s. Joseph Knapp received immunity for turning in the Crowninshields. George Crowninshield had a good alibi that prevented his conviction. Richard Crowninshield escaped justice by hanging himself. John Francis Knapp was tried twice. He was convicted in his second trial and sentenced to death. OCLC locates 3 copies in law libraries (Library of Congress, University of Pennsylvania, Yale). McDade, The Annals of Murder 572.
Price: $500.00
Book number 71422