. NMT05-T0957
Volume V · Page 957
| R. Final Statement of Defendant Klein* |
| DEFENDANT KLEIN: May it please your Honors,
generally speaking, I have nothing to add to the arguments of my defense
counsel, Dr. Bergold. I would simply like to deliver a personal statement,
namely, that I never did want to commit crimes and that I never did commit
crimes. I had nothing to do with those horrible things uncovered before this
Tribunal and I had nothing in common with them. The fate which has befallen my
family under the past regime was horrible. I should like to remind you here
that my sister and her husband were among the victims of the regime and that my
father out of shame and worries suffered an early death. Furthermore, that the
proceedings against my person did not come to an end, is only due to the fact
that the system was already beginning to disintegrate. I knew my family's
attitude very well. Please be convinced that this explains well enough why I
never participated in crimes which were committed against concentration camp
inmates because considering the threat of persecution by the State regarding my
family, I would not have but helped to prepare the fate of my relatives.
During all these years when I had been imprisoned, namely since 12 April 1945, I have again and again examined this question. However, I could not find myself guilty, not even towards my relatives, as my conscience is still more sensitive as to my family than as to the law. This, your Honors, please bear in mind when judging my case. |
* Tr. p. 8047.
