Defense seeks dismissal of case against ex-SS man over WWII killings of Dutch civilians

Defense seeks end to trial of ex-SS man

AACHEN, Germany — The defense attorney for a former member of the Nazi SS who has confessed to killing three Dutch civilians during World War II says the case against him should be thrown out because he has already been tried in the Netherlands for the same crimes.

Attorney Gordon Christiansen told the court in closing arguments Tuesday that even though Heinrich Boere was tried in absentia and never served the Dutch sentence it should be considered double jeopardy to try him again in Germany. The court already rejected such arguments during the trial.

The German news agency DAPD reports Christiansen said if Boere is convicted he should be given a lighter sentence of seven years for the 1944 slayings. The prosecution has asked for life in prison and a verdict is due next week.