HESSE CROWN JEWELS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 271, 28 August 1946, Page 5

HESSE CROWN JEWELS

WOMAN COURT-MART!ALLED (Rec. 12.30.) FRANKFURT, Aug. 27. Counsel for Kathleen Durant, a W.A.C. captain, alleged before a court-martial that Army investigators kept her without sleep in a psychopatic cell while they questioned her. Durant is accused of removing part of the Hesse crown jewels from Kronberg Castle, where she managed the officers’ club. Counsel argued that statements procured from her by those methods were not voluntary and therefore were inadmissible. He challenged two alleged confessions which the prosecution sought to introduce. The court decided not to allow the statements immediately, but they will be placed on record. Durant testified that she was promised her freedom if she would help the United States Army to recover the jewels. She described how she was questioned by an Army officer and a civilian investigator as counsel alleged, and added: “They said the Army wanted to keep everything quiet, and was only interested in getting the jewels back. The Army was not interested in prosecuting anyone. I asked to see an attorney and my husband, but was refused. They promised that if I made a statement they would vouch for me.” The prosecution contended that the statements were voluntary and were obtained without pressure or promises.

Ten military policemen armed with carbines and carrying a radio and special telephone equipment have been assigned a 24-hour task of guarding the jewel collection, over 500 pieces of which are spread on a long table in the courtroom.