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Killer Nazi, 90, Jailed for Life

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 11, 2009 5:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – A former commander in Adolf  Hitler's army has been sentenced to life imprisonment for a massacre in Italy he ordered 65 years ago, the BBC reports. In what is expected to be one of the very last Nazi trials, a Munich court found Joseph Scheungraber guilty of murder in the killing of 10 Italian civilians in reprisal for partisan attacks. The victims were herded into a barn, which was then blown up. A 15-year-boy survived and testified at Scheungraber's trial.

Defendant Josef Scheungraber waves to a spectator prior to the last day of his trial in a room of the court in Munich, southern Germany, yesterday.
Defendant Josef Scheungraber waves to a spectator prior to the last day of his trial in a room of the court in Munich, southern Germany, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Christof Stache)
90-year-old Former German army officer Josef Scheungraber, 90, has been convicted of murder in the killings of Italian civilians during World War II.
90-year-old Former German army officer Josef Scheungraber, 90, has been convicted of murder in the killings of Italian civilians during World War II.   (AP Photo/Christof Stache)
Defendant Josef Scheungraber waits prior to the last day of his trial in a room of the court in Munich, southern Germany, yesterday.
Defendant Josef Scheungraber waits prior to the last day of his trial in a room of the court in Munich, southern Germany, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Christof Stache)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Kookey90
Aug 12, 2009 11:22 AM CDT
It's a shame they didn't convict him 60 years ago and given him life.
AdaptAndOvercome
Aug 12, 2009 10:43 AM CDT
And the man still looks evil. Even after all these years...there are still Nazi lovers of yester year living in Germany and they can still be hateful.
kokuaguy
Aug 12, 2009 10:20 AM CDT
In his eyes, probably so, OG. But for the victims and their descendents, it may finally have brought a measure of closure. And for all those who hold power over others in conflicts all over the world, and most importantly for our young troops in Afghanistan and Iraq now the message should be brought home loud and clear. Our President and our society should take note also of the willingness of the German nation to acknowledge its violations of international law and pursue those guilty of war crimes regardless of domestic political consequences.

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