Pubdate: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 Source: The Southeast Missourian (MO) Copyright: 2001, Southeast Missourian Contact: http://www.semissourian.com/opinion/speakout/submit/ Website: http://www.semissourian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1322 Author: Tony Hall, Southeast Missourian CAPE MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN CONTRACT MURDER A Cape Girardeau man accused of hiring an undercover narcotics officer to kill a former tenant he claimed was stealing from him pleaded guilty, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor said Friday. Ralph John Knoblauch, 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder before Circuit Judge William Syler this week, Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said. A police informant contacted the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force last August when Knoblauch allegedly sought out a person to kill 56-year-old Orville Meyer. Knoblauch was arrested after a weeklong investigation. The undercover officer originally had asked for $5,000 to murder Meyer but lowered the price to $1,000 after the informant told him Knoblauch was recruiting a drug addict to kill the man. The narcotics officer wanted to make sure his bid was lower, Swingle said. Knoblauch explained during a meeting with the officer and the informant at a Cape Girar-deau restaurant that he wanted Meyer dead because he had stolen a diamond ring and several other items from him, authorities said. Meyer had earlier said he once worked for Knoblauch, who had owned several rental properties. During the meeting at the restaurant, Knoblauch allegedly instructed the undercover officer that he should blindfold, gag and torture Meyer with a knife until he told him what happened to the diamond ring. Even if Meyer explained where the ring was, Knoblauch said the officer should kill him and let him know that "this is for John Knoblauch," Swingle said. No attempt was made on Meyer's life. After feigning a murder with Meyer's cooperation, the undercover officer met with Knoblauch at a restaurant on Aug. 23. He showed Knoblauch a staged photograph of Meyer lying dead in his home. After paying the officer $500 to complete an advance payment for the murder, Knoblauch allegedly offered to buy the officer a steak. Knoblauch was arrested as he left the restaurant. Knoblauch had been scheduled for a jury trial in September, but he agreed to a plea bargain with the prosecutor. In return for pleading guilty, Swingle said he would recommend a sentence of 10 years in prison for the class B felony, which is punishable by five to 15 years. The judge is scheduled to sentence Knoblauch on Aug. 20. The case demonstrates the versatility of the Drug Task Force, Swingle said. "When a tip like this comes in and you need a scruffy-looking undercover officer to pose as a criminal, the Task Force can supply local law enforcement with both the undercover officer and the high-tech surveillance equipment on short notice," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake