IMT01-T124
VolumeVolume I — Page 124
GUSTAV KRUPP VON BOHLEN FOR
POSTPONEMENT OF THE TRIAL AS TO HIM
Nuremberg, 4 November 1 1945
Theodor Klefisch
Lawyer Cologne,
43, Blumenthalstrasse
To: The International Military Tribunal,
Nuremberg.
As defending counsel to the accused Dr. Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach I request that the proceedings against this accused be deferred until he is again fit for trial.
At any rate I request that the accused be not tried in his absence.
By Article 12 of the Charter of the International Military Tribunal this Court has the right to try an accused in his absence if he cannot be found, or if the Court deem this necessary for other reasons in the interest of justice.
The 75-year-old accused Krupp von Bohlen has for a long time been incapable of trial or examination owing to his severe physical and mental infirmities. He is not in a position to be in contact with the outside world nor to make or receive statements. The Indictment was served on him on 19 October 1945 by a representative of the International Military Tribunal by placing the document on his bed. The accused had no knowledge of this event. Consequently he is not aware of the existence of an Indictment. Naturally therefore he is not capable of communicating either with his defense counsel nor with other persons on the subject of his defense.
To prove the above two medical certificates are enclosed —that— of the court medical expert Doctor Karl Gersdorf of Werfen, Salzburg of 9 September 1945, and that of the Professor Doctor Otto Gerke of Badgastein of 13 September.
Lately Herr Krupp von Bohlen has been examined several times by American military doctors. As far as it is possible I should like to request another complete medical examination. If the accused is unable to appear before the Court, then according to Article 12 of the Charter he could be tried only if the Court deemed it necessary in the interests of justice.
Whatever may be understood by the phrase "in the interests of justice" it would hardly be objective justice to try a defendant accused of such serious crimes, if he were not informed of the con-
