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Museum Shooter: 'I Swore to Defend My Country'

Von Brunn was on suicide mission, prosecutor says

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2009 5:01 PM CDT
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(Newser) – James von Brunn planned to die himself when he opened fire at the Holocaust Museum in June, an assault he planned well in advance to spread the word that the Holocaust was a hoax, prosecutors say. Von Brunn, 89, appeared in court for the first time today to answer charges of killing a museum security guard. He spoke little but demanded a quick trial.

“The Constitution guarantees me a speedy and fair trial,” said von Brunn. “As a US naval officer I swore to protect my country. I take my vows very seriously.” Though he survived, von Brunn was badly wounded in the firefight—he can't walk and has trouble speaking and hearing. Prosecutors said von Brunn made funeral plans before the assault, and the judge agreed to order a mental competency exam.

In this artist's drawing by Dana Verkouteren, James von Brunn, left, is seen with defense attorney A.J. Kramer in Washington, DC., on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.
In this artist's drawing by Dana Verkouteren, James von Brunn, left, is seen with defense attorney A.J. Kramer in Washington, DC., on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
James von Brunn is seen in court in this artist's drawing by Dana Verkouteren in Washington, DC. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.
James von Brunn is seen in court in this artist's drawing by Dana Verkouteren in Washington, DC. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
James von Brunn is seen in court in this artist's drawing by Dana Verkouteren in Washington, DC. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.
James von Brunn is seen in court in this artist's drawing by Dana Verkouteren in Washington, DC. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
johntitor
Nov 5, 2009 9:09 AM CST
Umm no you might not like Obama but he's nothing like Hitler. Not in the least. For one thing Hitler wasn't such a big fan of socialism for the common people. Secondly Hitlers hate was forged in the trenches of WW1. Obama has nothing of the like, this world is cushy and individualistic. The world of that time period was a brutal, nationalistic one, and does not compare at all.
riffran
Sep 3, 2009 11:30 AM CDT
heres a little mud in yer eye, the top 10 gun crime states are dominated with 6 states democratic, 2 states republican, and two purple, of those one leaning to the dem side...California being numero uno, then Texas..followed by New York, Florida, Illinois, Penn, Mich., Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina...cross referencr that with the 2008 red state blue state results...sources wikipedia, and us crime statistics on the .gov site....so it would seem you fricken lefties are possibly a little more gun toting and trigger happy than you care to admit...aye jagerbomber?
jagerhans
Sep 3, 2009 9:44 AM CDT
at least they don't wave guns as those they dislike or just plain shoot them. and i believe they also refrain from praying god to kill their alleged enemies while showing off piousness.. no wonder that American left wingers hate this kind of opponents.
US

 
Washington DC • murder • Holocaust Museum • white supremacism • shooting • anti-Semitism • James Von Brunn

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