SENSATION IN GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 18809, 6 December 1924, Page 4

SENSATION IN GERMANY

WHOLESALE MURDER ALLEGED. BUTCHER ON TRIAL. press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, December 4. At Hanover the trial of a butcher named Httfvman has been commenced on o ; charge of murdering twenty-seven youths in 1918. At that time Harrman was a recruiting agent for the Black Eeichwehr. the youths were recruited for service m East Prussia. No explanation was given of their non-return, but wor operations were presumed to be the cause. Recently a number of skulls were wind in the river near Harman's house. The police* searched and found blood-stained oloth’ivr. Harrman cut up the bodies in revolting circumstances, necessitating the trial being held in camera. Harrman displayed brutal indifference to the proceedings. Ho declares that his only wish is to be executed, and then the whole lot will he tmri'ied. TT:sr-'”i-eel, however, is pleading" mental irresponsibility. There was unprecedented interest in the trial. Harrman has been in ganl for fifteen out of forty-five years! Ho secured long immunity from arrest because he acted as a spy for the Hanover police. The victims wereaged thirteen to twentytwo. He waylaid them at the railway station, and decoyed them to his miserable garret overlooking the river Leine. where he strangled them during the night. One hundred and ninety witnesses are attending the trial. They were searched for arms before they were admitted, as the authorities were told that some of the relatives intended to avenge themselves on Harrman.—A. and N.Z. Cable.