BRUTAL BUTCHER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 December 1924, Page 5

BRUTAL BUTCHER

MURDERS 27 YOUTHS.

SKULLS IN A RIVER

ACCUSED’S CALLOUS CONDUCT.

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT,

t BERLIN, Dec. 4. At Hanover the trial of Haarman, a butcher, was commenced on a charge of murdering twenty-seven youths. in 1918. At that time Haarman was* recruiting agent for the Black Reichswehr, and the youths were recruited for service in 'East Prussia. No explanation was given of their non-return, but the war operations were presumed. Recently a. number of skulls were found in a river near Haarman’s house. The police searched and found bloodstained clothing, and later cut up bodies in revolting circumstances, necessitating the trial being held in camera. Haarman is displaying brutal indifference. He declares his only wish •is to be executed; then the whole lot will be finished. His counsel, however, is pleading mental irresponsibility : There was unprecedented interest in the trial. Haarman has been in gaol fifteen years out of forty-five years. lie secured long immunity from arrest because he acted as a spy for the Hanover police. The victims were aged from 13 to 22 years. He waylaid them at the railway station and decoyed them to his miserable garret overlooking the River Leine, where he strangled the victims during the night. One hundred and ninety witnesses are attending the trial. They were searched for arms before being admitted, as the authorities were told that some relatives intended to avenge themselves on Haarman.