Mathias Kneibl

Case record: Mathias Kneißl

Personal details

Mathias Kneißl was known as Robber Kneißl (in German Räuber Kneißl , in Austro-Bavarian Raiba Kneißl ). He was born 4 August 1875 in Unterweikertshofen. He died 21 February 1902.

Background

Mathias Kneißl was a German outlaw, poacher and popular social rebel in the Dachau district, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. He was chased by the police and became a legendary hero with the rural people because of his witful and artful fight against the authorities.

Mathias Kneißl was the eldest of six children of a poor innkeeper. In 1886 his father purchased the mill at Sulzemoos Schacher. At 16 he was imprisoned for the first time because members of his family were suspected of stock rustling.

His father died in 1892 while in police custody. Kneissl then began accompanying his brothers on robberies.

In 1893 he was arrested for the second time. His younger brother Alois had been shot by police while resisting arrest and died of tuberculosis after four years in prison. Mathias Kneißl was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison. After serving his sentence, he was released in February 1899.

After his release, he worked as a carpenter in Nußdorf am Inn. After six months Kneißl was dismissed by his master because his colleagues refused to work with him any longer. Due to his bad reputation, he was unable to find another job.

For two years, Kneißl was pursued by the police. After his accomplices were arrested, he continued committing armed robberies on his own.

The offence

Kneißl faced a trial at Augsburg in November 1901. During that period he was charged with two murders, attempted murder, as well as armed robbery and extortion.

At his trial, he reportedly said:

"I can suffer no wrong. I cannot bend, I would rather kill myself."

The account of his pleas was that Kneißl confessed to most of the charges, but denied an intent to kill against the two policemen who were shot by him. However, the court found him guilty of murder, premeditated bodily harm with fatal consequences, extortion and for aggravated robbery.

Investigation and policing events

An attempt to arrest him occurred on 30 November 1900 in Irchenbrunn Altomünster. In a massive gun battle, two policemen were injured so badly that they subsequently died.

Three months later, on March 1901, Kneißl was catpured in at Geisen Egenhofen by 60 policemen. During the preceding gunfight, Kneißl was seriously injured by a bullet in the abdomen.

Trial

Between 14 and 19 November, 1901 Kneißl was placed on trial at Augsburg.

Sentencing

The court sentenced him to receive the death penalty for murder and 15 years imprisonment on the other charges.

Judge Anton Rebholz appealed by letter to the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Justice confirmed Kneißl’s death sentence.

Execution

Kneißl was awakened shortly after seven o’clock on the morning of 21 February 1902. He was executed via guillotine.

The executioner was Franz Xaver Reichhart.

Outcome

Mathias Kneißl was executed by guillotine on 21 February 1902.

Legacy

Kneißl was already a legendary figure during his own lifetime. The people, especially the small farmers of Bavaria, saw in his outlaw life something revolutionary, a rebellion against the authorities. Even in recent times the Kneißl legend remains popular.