DRAMA OF DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10508, 11 February 1928, Page 9

DRAMA OF DEATH.

SCHOOLBOY CHARCED WITH MUROER

SENSATION IS BERLIN

(Vailed I’re.-s Assn.—Copyright.iAust. and N. 7.. Press Assn.) (Received Feb. 10, 9.5 p.m.) BERLIN, Feb. 9

The case of Kranz, a schoolboy, who v.as charged with murdering a boy friend, recalling the Leopold and Lceb case in Chicago, caused a sensation in Berlin. It will form a stand ard document for the historian of sosial life since the war in Germany, particularly as regards the consequences of the precocity of youth, playing on the passions which they are unable to control. Leading sociologists, doctors, authors, lawyers, and professors wore present at the trial, analysing the psychology of the drama.

Kranz, who is aged 18, was a scholarship winner. His chief reading since he has been arrested has been Nietzsche, Schcpenhaven and Dostoi fvsky. Kranz was visiting the house cf a schoolboy friend named Scheller on the night of the tragedy, others present being a third schoolboy Step han, and Scheller's sister Hildegard aged 16. the girl's porents being absent.

The boys sat up .it night drinking liqueurs, and talking of love. The discussion finally turned on death and Scheller proposed that all four should die. He wrote a letter to the uni verse beginning: “Dear universe, a single portion of your organisation perishes. Don't worry. Time will roll cn.” The letter ended with an inti mation that Stephan and Hildegrad would be killed, and the others would commit suicide,

With a smile, Kranz states Schefler shot Stephan and committed sui cide, and he was about to commit suicide himself when the girl snatched the revolver.

Some of the evidence suggested that Stephan, being found in the Hildegards' bedroom, precipitated the tragedy. There is also evidence that some of the hoys belonged to the Juvenile Club, the statutes of which strictly enjoined that all members who were deceived by men or v.-omen friends must avevnge themselves upon their rivals.