MURDER OF CYRIL CROMAR.
EVIDENCE OF DUNEDIN WITNESS. SWABODA FOUNt) GUILTY. BERLIN, July 25. A special military court was held at Cologne to try Franz Swaboda for the murder of Cyril Oromar, the young New Zealand soldier who was shot in the public park at Cologne on February 7, 1919. The case had been remanded 28 times, awaiting the arrival of William Osborn Clarke, one of the principal witnesses, from New Zealand. Maria Lesser, an attractive girl who was Cromar’s companion in the park at the time of the shooting, gave evidence that Cromar sent her away when some Germans approached. He called a comrade who ran up to him. Clarke deposed that Cromar called, “Bill, come and help me shift these Huns.” Witness ran up. Suddenly a shot was fired and Cromar fell dead. He was positive that Cromar did not draw a bayonet. Swaboda, who pleaded guilty, said that Cromar sprang -at him with uplifted bayonet, whereupon Swaboda fired. He did not remember any other incident. He explained that ho was war-worn and under the influence of drink. The court after four minutes’ deliberation found Swaboda guilty. The sentence awaits confirmation.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3724, 28 July 1925, Page 24
Word Count
193MURDER OF CYRIL CROMAR. Otago Witness, Issue 3724, 28 July 1925, Page 24
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