Martin George Dehnert

 

Kentucky Post, Monday, 15 February 1904, page 5

NEW TRIAL-George Dehnert, who is serving a 15 year term in prison at Frankfort, may get a new trial. His grief stricken father, who has passed his fiftieth year has been untiring in his fight for his son and may be rewarded before another year goes by. George Dehnert was sentenced to prison for the killing of John Braun on the Licking Pike, six miles from Newport about three years ago. The crime was committed in Stolle's Saloon and Braun died from being cut with a knife.

George Dehnert was accused and during the progress of the trial, a brother, who is badly crippled swore that he himself used the knife which caused Braun's death. The jury and the Court took no cognizance of the statement, because witnesses said the guilty man was George Dehnert. The father, Charles Dehnert, since that time has worked night and day to have his son released. He has petitioned the Governor for a pardon and is now seeking a new trial for his son, claiming that he has new evidence that will acquit him.

The new evidence is to the effect that witnesses who testified as being at Stolle's place when the cutting was done and said they saw George Dehnert use the knife had left the place a half hour before the cutting was done and did not see the fight. Some of the jurors who sentenced Dehnert heard of the doubt about the evidence which had caused them to send the accused to prison and signed the petition for a new trial, claiming that the testimony given was at first believed, but later developments had somewhat changed it in favor of the accused.

John White, formerly Sheriff of Campbell County, was one of the jurors who signed the petition for a new trial and gave the reasons as stated above. Dehnert's father and crippled brother were in Newport Saturday night to engage attorneys to help him fight the case and release his boy. The father was comfortably fixed before his son got into the trouble and has spent it all trying to get him out.

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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 7 December 1905, page 5

PRISON COMMISSION GIVES DEHNERT FREEDOM-Word was received in Newport today to the effect that the State Prison Commission at Frankfort ordered Martin Dehnert of Campbell County, paroled on account of hais being afflicted with consumption. Dehnert was sent up from Newport to serve a 15 year sentence for having killed John Braun four years ago. The tragedy occurred at John Tolle's place on the Licking pike, six miles south of Newport.

The men had previously quarreled and as Braun was leaving the saloon, he was stabbed in the back, causing his death.. Dehnert was arrested and charged with the crime. In the first trial he was sentenced to 21 years. He secured a new trial and the jury declared him guilty but reduced his sentence to 15 years. The last trial of the case was attended by a sensational scene, wherein a crippled brother of the accused went to the stand and testified that he had stabbed Braun.

Dehnert's wife and child were in court and it was evident, so the jury believed that his brother's efforts was done to save the accused from going to prison. Dehnert's family did everything possible to assure his acquittal and after he was sent to Frankfort they brought powerful influences to secure his pardon.

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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 25 January 1906, page 5

FAILED TO RECOGNIZE MOTHER-A pathetic scene was enacted in Judge Berry's courtroom this morning in the habeas corpus action brought by Martin Dehnert and wife to secure possession of their two children, George and Bettie. The children were brought into court by their foster mother, Mrs. Sallie Deshart, who resides on the Licking pike, eight miles south of Newport. The mother of the children was in court, but they did not recognize them, although she spoke tenderly to them.

The little ones have been cared for by Mrs. Deshart, who is a sister to Mrs. Dehnert, for five years and in the meantime ha forgotten all about their mother. The mother of the children, told the Court how she had tried to make a living for herself and the children after her husband and the father of the children had been sent to prison, but ill health compelled her to place the children with her sister. Judge Berry suggested the Dehnerts should compensate Mr. and Mrs. Deshart for their care of the children. This they agreed to do and Judge Berry made an order turning the children over to their mother. The children refused to leave their foster mother at first, but they were finally induced to go with their mother. 

Mrs. Dehnert and the children will leave for Dayton O. where Mr. Dehnert has secured a position. The family will make their home there.

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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 10 February 1954, page 6

DEHNERT-Martin, beloved husband of the late Frances Dehnert (nee Bloomer) father of Mrs. Elizabeth Luebbers and George Dehnert, brother of William Dehnert, residence, Little Sisters of the Poor, Cincinnati O. Febuary 6, 1954, age 78. Funeral Thursday, February 11 at 11 AM from the John J Radel Co. Funeral Home, 822 York St. Friends may call Wednesday after 3 PM. Interment St Stephen Cemetery.

 

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