William Spranger

Murderer

1known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: Noble County, Indiana, USA
Date of birth: September 26, 1964
Age at first offence: 19
Characteristics: to avoid arrest, murder for hire
Victim profile: William Miner, 31 (Avila Town Marshall)
Method of murder: Shooting (handgun)
Date(s) of murder: May 28, 1983
Years active: 1983
Date of arrest: —
Status: Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on December 8, 1983.

Case Summary

Background

William Spranger was involved in the killing of a law enforcement officer.

The offence

Spranger shot Miner in the back from some distance away.

Investigation

After his arrest, Spranger made several admissions to shooting the officer and led the police to a lake where the gun was recovered.

Arrest

Miner responded to the scene and arrested both men. A struggle ensued between Snyder and Miner, and Miner's service revolver was knocked away into the highway. Spranger crossed the highway, retrieved the gun, and shot Miner in the back from some distance away.

Trial

Snyder was allowed to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, received a prison term, and testified at trial. Spranger claimed at trial that Snyder, not he, killed the officer.

Sentencing

Spranger was sentenced to death on December 8, 1983.

Aggravating Circumstances: b(6) Law enforcement victim. Mitigating Circumstances: no advance plan or scheme to murder, 18 years old at the time of the murder, capable of rehabilitation, poor social controls, impulsive and extremely susceptible to influence of others, no prior criminal record, intoxication and stress on day of murder, accomplice received a disproportionate easy plea, cooperation with law enforcement.

Appeals

On remand: The parties jointly waived a Jury Sentencing Hearing, and after a Judicial Sentencing Hearing in Wayne County on 11-06-97, Special Judge Douglas Van Middlesworth sentenced Spranger to 60 years imprisonment for Murder.

Other details

Snyder pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a prison term.

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