MAN TO STAND TRIAL IN MURDER SCHEME

JACKSON, Mo. -- An alleged theft of a diamond ring by a tenant prompted Ralph J. Knoblauch to offer $1,000 to have the tenant killed, an undercover policeman told a judge Tuesday.

Knoblauch, 60, who owns a number of rental properties around Cape Girardeau, was bound over by Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp for arraignment Dec. 18 on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

Undercover officer P.R. Neely of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force testified at Knoblauch's preliminary hearing how a former confidential informant for the Missouri State Highway Patrol had heard about Knoblauch's proposition and arranged a meeting in August at a restaurant.

Neely said he went along with the informant to meet Knoblauch. An additional undercover officer was inside the restaurant, while several other undercover officers were stationed outside, he said.

Murder planning

During a 30-minute conversation, Neely said Knoblauch gave him a description and the address of Orville Meyer, the intended victim.

"He gave a lengthy story about how he had stolen several items from him," Neely said. "He especially talked about a diamond ring that he had for a long time."

Neely agreed to drive by Meyer's house alone and return to talk further with Knoblauch within an hour and a half, he said.

When Neely returned, he said he left with Knoblauch, leaving the informant behind. The two men drove past Meyer's residence twice, and Knoblauch pointed out the intended victim sitting on his front porch.

After a trip to Knoblauch's house, they discussed how Meyer should be killed and the cost, Neely said. Knoblauch wanted Meyer bound with tape and then cut with a knife before threatening to kill him if he didn't produce the missing ring, Neely said.

But even if Meyer gave the ring back, Neely was supposed to kill him, the officer testified.

"If his wife or a girlfriend was present, it was OK to kill her because she was probably involved in the theft," Neely said.

Knoblauch promised to pay $500 in advance and $500 after Meyer was dead.

In earlier discussions, Neely said he had asked Knoblauch if he really wanted to kill Meyer or just have him beaten. If Knoblauch only wanted to hurt Meyer, Neely explained he could suggest other people. But if he wanted to kill him, Neely said he was the right man.

Knoblauch answered he wanted Meyer dead within a week, Neely said.

Low-price killing

Knoblach's attorney, Edwin V. Butler, asked Neely whether the $1,000 payoff was considered more appropriate for a beating than a killing. Neely responded that the topic had never come up.

Knoblauch only wavered once during their meetings, Neely said. Neely said Knoblauch told him that he was having second thoughts because he was afraid how people at his church might react to the killing if they discovered he was responsible.

But the indecision didn't last, said Neely

"At the end of the final transaction, he offered to buy me a steak dinner," Neely said.

Except for portions of the initial conversation, everything said between Neely and Knoblauch was recorded on audio tape, the officer said.

Kamp denied a request by Butler to lower Knoblauch's $250,000 bond.

"If he would attempt to have someone killed for stealing a ring, I would hate to think about what he might do now that he has been arrested and charged," said Angel Woodruff, assistant prosecuting attorney.