The German public prosecutors in their overwhelming majority recognized this also in the Third Reich. Therefore, none of the charges made against me here I feel to be more unjust than that, by filing malicious indictments, I had done injustice for the sake of injustice. I trust, however, that these proceedings have shown how unjust this charge is. The office of a public prosecutor is a very hard one. It is easier in peace than in wartime, but it became incredibly difficult during a war which is without example in history and which has left our Fatherland—which also meant everything to us public prosecutors—in ruins.
Presiding Judge Brand: Defendant Mettgenberg may address the Tribunal.
Defendant Mettgenberg: Your Honors. Novel, alien, and unaccustomed as it was to the previous speaker, so it is to me the situation in which I have found myself for months as a prisoner in the dock; and that is what the prosecution said when this trial opened, novel, alien, and unaccustomed were to me many things in this trial which concludes today.
All the same I, for my part, have tried to make my contribution to the correct carrying out of these proceedings; with complete frankness I have described my past career, and I have given you my views concerning the points with which the prosecution has charged me. There is nothing I have to hide.
Now at the end of this trial the prosecution deemed it necessary, I believe without regard to the evidence, to ask of you that you should convict me for having committed war crimes. It may be that you will convict me for having committed war crimes. It may be that that is the duty of the prosecution. It is not for me to arrive at a judgment about that. The prosecution must take the responsibility for their motion.
My defense counsel has asked you to acquit me. I too ask you to acquit me, but Your Honors, I ask you for more than that. As far as I am informed, it is in accordance with your legal views to acquit a defendant if there is a reasonable doubt about his guilt. I am of the opinion, and please do not think me arrogant, that I may expect you to find that there is no reasonable doubt as to my innocence. Even after careful and conscientious examination, such as I have given to my own past, I believe I am justified in making this request.
Presiding Judge Brand: The defendant von Ammon may address the Tribunal.
Defendant von Ammon: I have nothing to add to the statements made by me on 1 and 4 August under oath in the witness box.
Presiding Judge Brand: Defendant Joel may address the Tribunal.
Defendant Joel: I wish to remain silent.