Hauptmann, Bruno Richard

(1899-1936)

   Born in Germany, Bruno Hauptmann served in the German army in World War I. After the war, he became a small-time criminal. He twice attempted to enter the United States illegally, finally succeeding in 1923. He married and settled down as a carpenter in New York City. In September 1934, he was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s infant son in March 1932. Notes traceable as part of the ransom money were found in Hauptmann’s possession. The trial, described by the journalist H. L. Mencken as “the greatest story since the Resurrection” and regarded at the time as “the trial of the century,” lasted from 2 January to 13 February 1935. Found guilty on circumstantial evidence, Hauptmann was electrocuted on 3 April. Despite some inconsistencies in the evidence, it seems likely that he was guilty.