Jackson-Jones County IA Archives Court.....Bliss, Kenneth September 20, 1939 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ken Wright wright@prestontel.com September 20, 2013, 4:21 pm Source: District Court Written: September 20, 1939 Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Sept. 22, 1939 BLISS FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER Judge D. V. Jackson found Kenneth J. Bliss guilty of second degree murder and sentenced him to fifteen years at Ft. Madison penitentiary. Bliss earlier confessed to the murder of Ethel Streets of Canton, following a dispute over $5.00 wages due Bliss. In pronouncing sentence Judge Jackson pointed out that Bliss had not planned the crime and therefore could not be found guilty of first degree murder. He stated, however, in the opinion of the court, Bliss was not entitled to the minimum sentence of ten years, but in view of his good character he set the sentence at fifteen years. A number of witnesses were called on behalf of Bliss, who was represented by attorney L. C. Schroeder. Without exception they testified to the good character, reputation and habits of Bliss. On the other hand, witnesses acquainted with Mrs. Streets testified to her quarrelsome nature and that she always kept a loaded gun in her house. County Attorney Arthur Janssen explained to the Court that Bliss had been both courteous and truthful. Bliss will probably be taken to Ft. Madison immediately by Sheriff Ron Cahill to begin serving his sentence File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/jackson/court/bliss10gwl.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 1.8 Kb