PROFESSOR SHOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 205, 29 August 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROFESSOR SHOT.

GIRL SEES TRAGEDY.

ASSAILANT SUBMITS.

STUDENT'S FATAL GRUDGE,

Professor Moritz Schleik, internationally famous professor of natural philosophy at Vienna University, was murdered on the steps of the university Professor Schleik was on liis way to deliver a lecture. A girl student, Margaret Korntner, walked at his side.

Dr. Hans Nellbaeck, 33, philosophical student, raced past them, turned a few steps higher up. Slim and sallow, his dark eyes were blazing. He produced a revolver, cried: "Damned hound! Now you've got it," and fired four shots.-

Professor Schleik fell dying at Mar garet Korntner'a feet. Slie did all tha she could to help him.

Gave Himself Up.

Other students seized Dr. Nellbaecl He pushed them aside and gave himsel up to the police.

Margaret Korntner described the shooting to detectives. "The professor slumped forward and toppled down the steps," she said. "Nellbaeck stood still, his face dead white, the gun still smoking in his hand."

Nellbaeck himself described the shooting. He said: "I killed the professor because he resolutely opposed my 'negative perception philosophy.' Because he disagreed with me he stopped me from obtaining a teaching post in Vienna. "I tried to set up a private school. The professor did all he could to prevent me from spreading my philosophy throughout the world, s

"I saw. it was impassible to go on while he still lived. I did it after full reflection because I no longer had control of iny nerves." Other witnesses declared that four years ago Nellbaeck demanded of the professor an explanation of his relations with a girl student. "Get Even" Threat. On that occasion, it is alleged, he threatened "to get even" with the professor. Police believe that Nellbaeck is suffering fr»m persecution mania. It is stated that Professor Schleik always spoke of him with pity. According to the police, Nellbaeck was previously arrested and examined at a psychiatric clinic. He was released after treatment. In 1934 he was interned in an asylum for threats. Professor Schleik, who has an American-born wife, was famous for his books on moral philosophy and metaphysics. He had held posts in Germany and at California University. His doctrines resembled those of Bertram! Russell.