HYPNOTIST MURDERER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 2 (Supplement)

HYPNOTIST MURDERER.

BALEFUL POWER OF HIS EYES.

CONVICTED OF DOUBLE CRIME.

One of the most dramatic murder trials in German history was brought to a conclusion at Karschberg, Silesia, when Peter Grupen, tho modern Svcngali and Don Juan combined, was found guilty and sentenced to. death for the double murder of his niece, Dorothy Rohrbeck, and his stepdaughter, Ursula Schado. The first, details of Grupcn's crimes and trial were published in last week's supplement.

Tho conviction of Grupen ends an amazing drama in which a young man of 26. who began life as a bricklayer, finds himelf in possession of magnetic eyes, and truly remarkable hypnotic powers, which he uses effectively to fascinate women in connection with his multitudinous lo\e affairs. Eventually Grupen finds himself installed at Kleppelsdorf Castle, where his stepdaughter, Ursula Schade, aged 12, is favourite companion to Dorothy Rohrbeck, aged 16, possessor of the castle, a vast fortune, and considerable property in tho district. Tho igirls were two of three lives which stood between Grupen's possession of the millions. Dorothy lived with her grandmother. On February 14, of last year, the girl heiress -was found in the castle dining room shot dead, and by her side lav her companion, Ursula Schade, with a bullot through her head. Slio died later. In Ursula's pocket was found a letter intimating that she was about to shoot Dorothy aud then commit suicide. Evidence was given that Grupen was upstairs and away from the scene of the tragedy at the time of the terrible act, and in company with the governess and housekeeper. Suspicion, howover, fastened on Grupen, and it was suggested that he had hypnotised Ursula to write the letter, and other alibi witnesses into the belipf that he was with them when actually he was not.

A further possible tragedy lies behind tho remarkable and unaccountable disappearance of Frau Grupen, who disappeared shortly before the crime. Tno accused stated that hi s wife had eloped to America with an actor, but the opinion is held that Grupiii is responsible for her disappearance. fatal fascination for Women. The trial has proved remarkable for the aiming number of women who have given evidence of Grupen's fat.il fascination for women, and revolting stories were told of the use to which he had put those powers. There was tenso silence at the final scenes when the jury filed back into Court to deliver their verdict. Grupen turned his* eyes to the foreman of the jury, who rose and faced the president.

" Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?" The question echoed round the Court. There was a pause, and then the answer, in an even, unemotional voice:—

"Gnilty!" Weird " incidents marked the closing stages of the trial. Owing to the failure of the electric light, tho speeches of the opposing counsel were delivered in semidarkness, relieved only by the flickering light of a few candles.

Though the Court sat continuously for seventeen hours, tho public fought like wild beasts to obtain admission. During tho opposing advocate's speech Grupen sat with his head bent forward, cupping his hand on his car to catch every syllable.

"When men are silent, then stones speak," exclaimed tho prosecuting counsel, stabbing a finger at the prisoner, •who_ kept* the same smile of contempt curling round his sensual lips. "Grupen is the arch-murderer and arch betrayer of helpless women," thundered counsel. " He believed that the thick walls of the ancient castle of Klonnelsdorf would hide for ever his murderous crime."

One by one the prosecuting counsel drove home the damning points against ! Grupen. " How do you account for his nervousness on the day of the crime ?" asked counsel. " Why did he refuse to help Frauleiii Zahn, Dorothy's governess, to carry the millionairess to bed as she lay dying? Because he was afraid to touch his victim.'"

The prosecutor, with relentless logic, urged his case. '"There, in front of yon, is the murderer of these two girls!" were tie final words of his seven-hour speech. A storm of applause rang round the Court. " Silence!" tiundreded the president. " This is Dot a theatre. A man is fighting for his life."

It was past midnight when the defence was opened. Despite the late hour, the interest of the Court remained unabated. " The prosecution has not brought ono shred of definite evidence that tho prisoner committed a doublo murder," said Grupen'B counsel. " Grupen admits freely his Don Juan exploits. 'Will you hang a man for his gallant loves ?"

During the hearing of the prosecution's case it became increasingly evident that this amazing character, who throughout the earlier stages had preserved his de« bonnair and nonchalcnt appearance, was login* his nerve.

At first the evidence of the handwriting experts gave him some grounds for hope, and he cheered visibly. Then followed dramatic and lerriblo evidence by expert authorities on firearms and gunshot wounds. An Eerie Picture, Horr Walter, the firearms expert, drew a vivid and eerie picture of what the terrible scene may have been like when the crime was committed. " After most careful investigations," he said. "T have come to the definite- conclusion that Ursula did not commit suicide. The shot which killed Dorothy—(three shots in all were fired at the two girls)—must have been fired f rom some distance It was fired upwards, which suggests that the murderer was stooping so as not to be seen. Ursula then apparently fled from Dorothy's side to take refuge behind the trunk. She was shot by a directly-fired bullet, which suggests that the person who fired was standing by them. "The third shot," which was fired at Ursula, was from a shorter distance, which still excludes the idea of suicide, and must be in the nature of a coup de grace. The empty cartridges were found at the other side of tho room, where Ursula lay. and if she had committed suicide the revolver could not have been found where it was. All the shots must have been fired by a third person." Yet another expert declared that all the phots must have been fired from a distance which would have been impossible in the case of suicide. The Court was then darkened to allow this witness to show lantern slides of the wounds. He used a doll to demonstrate how Dorothy must have been attacked. Slowly and relentlessly the case against Grupen was built up, until the most optimistic person in the Court could have little doubt of the verdict. Remarkable scenes were witnessed after the sentence had been passed, and relief had been given to the flood of pent-up emotions. Tile- question of whether or not the death penalty will be enforced is engaging attention. It is the function of tho Prussian Ministry of Justice, after studying the case thoroughly, to decide on a reprieve, a step which is highly probable in view of the circumstantial nature of the evidence.