Charging that the prosecution has not proven its case against Abraham Rechlin, one of the two Jews on trial here on charges of purchasing arms and ammunition from two British soldiers, Rachlin’s lawyer, Asher Levitzky, yesterday asked the military tribunal which is hearing the case to render a verdict of not guilty.
The attorney based his plea for acquittal on the fact that the prosecution has failed to prove that the arms in question were ever in the possession of Rachlin, that it has failed to prove the existence of an organized conspiracy to smuggle guns to Jewish groups and, lastly, that many of the prosecution’s witnesses contradicted each other’s testimony. He pointed to the fact that Rachlin had no police record and had never been in legal difficulties before.
Dr. Philip Joseph, attorney for Leib Sirkin, the other defendant, is expected to conclude his summation today. Tomorrow the prosecutor will sum up. It has not been indicated how soon after adjournment the court will issue its decision.
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