Hans Schmidt (priest)

Hans Schmidt
Born1881
DiedFebruary 18, 1916(1916-02-18) (aged 34–35)
Cause of deathExecution by electrocution
Resting placeSing Sing Prison Cemetery, Ossining, New York, U.S.
NationalityGerman
Criminal statusExecuted
ConvictionFirst degree murder
Criminal penaltyDeath
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionRoman Catholic
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
OrdainedDecember 23, 1904 (priest)
Congregations served
St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Louisville
St. Boniface's Church, New York City

Hans B. Schmidt (1881 – February 18, 1916) was a German Catholic priest, rapist, convicted murderer, and suspected serial killer. He was executed by way of the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison in New York State for murdering and dismembering a pregnant woman in the United States. He was also suspected in the murders of another woman and two children. Schmidt was the first and remains the only Roman Catholic priest to be executed in the United States.