SWABADA’S TRIAL

Grey River Argus, 27 July 1925, Page 5

SWABADA’S TRIAL

CONVICTED OE MURDER. SAYS HE WAS DRUNK. (Received July 26 at 5.5 ].n A BERLIN. July 25 A special Military Court was held at Cologne, to try Franz Swaboda, for the murder cf Cyril Cromar, a voting New Zealand soldier who was shot in a public park in Cologne on February 7th., 1919. The case had been remanded 28 times, awaiting the arrival of William Osborne Clarke, one of the principal witnesses, from New Zealand. Maria Lesser, an attractive girl, who was Cromer’s companion in the Park -vf x j,lie 1 -tuae of the shooting, gave evidence that Cro'l'i'T^s*..: J. r some Germans approached. He calle I a comrade who ran up to him. Clark deposed that \ 'romar called: “Bills, come and help me to shift these Huns!” Witness ran up. Suddenly a shot was fired, and Crcmar fell dead. He was positive that Cromar did not draw a bayonet. Swaboda, who pleaded guilty, said that Cromar sprang at him with an uplifted bayonet, whereupon he (Swaboda) fired. He did not remember another incident. He explained that he was war worn, and was under the influence of drink at the time. The court after four minutes deliberations, found Swaboda guilty. His sentence awaits confirmation.