SENSATION IN COURT

Evening Star, Issue 20193, 5 June 1929, Page 9

SENSATION IN COURT

BOGUS LAWYER UNMASKED ARREST ORDERED DY JUDGE Posing as a successful criminal lawyer, a notorious criminal 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.

The exposure, which occurred while Liechtenstein was defending an elderly jeweller accused of receiving stolen goods, caused a widespread sensation. He was about to recall one of the witnesses in the case 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 is an impostor, has never been admitted to the Bar, and is being sought by the poliec. I therefore order his arrest.” "When he had been handcuffed Liechtenstein bowed ceremoniously to the judge and asked for permission to address Ihe court. “I very much regret that I have to leave my client at the most critical juncture of the trial,” he said. “He certainly will not be able lo iind another counsel as able and skilled as myself. lam the only one who really knows criminal law, and 1 am being forced into retirement.” Liechtenstein afterwards confessed that he assumed the role of a barrister in order to evade the. police, who were on the look-out for him. He has had an si mazing career. During Ihe war he introduced himself to the War Department as Prince Liechtenstein, and secured a, big order for military uniforms. Subsequently lie was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment for assuming alias for fraudulent imrposes. Later be was accused of selling fake stacks, but was acquitted. For selling two hotels which were not his to a wealthy German, Liechtenstein got a sentence of two years. After eight months, however, ho was pardoned. It was a judge who had once sentenced him who suspected that Hie dashing lawyer was not all he seemed. Though he did not recognise him, he had a. suspicion that something was wrong. He therefore informed the police, who carried out the inquiries which resulted in Liechtenstein's arrest in the courtroom.