Criminal-procedur gegen den kaufmann P.A. Fonck aus Cöln bei dem k. assisenhofe zu Trier

About this book

Proceedings of the trial of businessman Peter Anton Fonk, accused of murderer of Wilhelm Cönen. This was a landmark case in German law which ended five and a half years after Cönen's death and was based on circumstantial evidence and motive. Cönen had been auditing the books of Fonk's brandy/liquor business at the request of Fonk's business partner. Cönen vanished after uncovering evidence of fraud but before he could complete the audit. Fonk and his cooper, Hamacher, were charged with murder. Fonk was convicted of murder but appealed. The appeal was rejected but Fonk was ultimately pardoned by King Friedrich Wilhelm III on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence proving Cönen had been murdered so the guilty verdict could not be upheld. Hamacher confessed, later retracted his confession, yet was found guilty. He was sentenced to 16 years of hard habor.