CROOK POSES AS BARRISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

CROOK POSES AS BARRISTER.

UNMASKED IN COURT

Posing as a successful criminal lawyer a notorious crook named Joseph Liechtenstein has for six months completely hoodwinked the Viennese courts of justice He has attended the Bar mess, made friends with eminent counsel, and successfully defended prisoners on trial for various offences.

His e»po6ure, which occurred while he was defending an elderly jeweller accused of receiving stolen goods, 'has caused a widespread sensation. He was about to recall one of the witnesses in the ease when two detectives entered the court and whispered something to the judge.

The next moment the judge rose from his chair and said:

"I am sorry to have to interrupt the trial, but it has come to my knowledge that the counsel for the defence ie an impoeter, hae never been admitted to the bar, and is being sought by the police. I therefore order his arrest."

When he had been handcuffed, Liechtenstein bowed ceremoniously to the judge and aeked for permission to address the court.

"I very much regret that I have to ieave my client ait thie most critical juncture of the trial," he said. "Hβ certainly won't be able to find another counsel aa able and skilled as myeelf. I am the only one who really knows criminal law, and I am being forced into retirement."

Liechtenstein hae since confessed that he assumed the role of a barrister in order to evade the police who were on tihe lookout for him.

Hβ has had an amazing career. During the war he introduced himself to the War Department ae Prince Liechtenstein, and secured a big order for military uniforms. Subsequently, he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for assuming alias for fraudulent purposes. Later, he was accused of selling fake stocks, but was acquitted.

For selling two hotels which were not his to a wealthy German he got & sentence of two yeare. After eight months, however, he was pardoned.

It wae a judge who had once sentenced him who suspected that the dashing lawyer was not all he seemed. Though he did not recognise 'him, ie had & suspicion that something was wrong.

He, therefore, informed tfhe police who carried out the inquiries which resulted in Liechtenstein's arrest in the court room.