The Supreme Court of Austria began today the hearing on the appeal in the Halsmann trial before a packed court room. It is expected that the hearing will continue for three days.
In the appeal for setting aside the verdict of guilty, eleven reasons are given, among them the fact that the jurymen were influenced by anti-Semitic placards that were distributed in Innsbruck during the recess in the second trial. At the same time the defence characterizes the murder of Halsmann’s father as one committed for the sake of robbery by an unknown person, in proof of which it brings certain circumstances in connection with the murder.
The defense asks that the court set aside the Innsbruck verdict and free Halsmann, or else that he be given a third trial in Vienna, in any event outside the province of Tyrol. Among those who are defending Halsmann are the Christian university professors, Rittler and Mahler.
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