The third case to be considered is that of Leo Katzenberger. The record in this case shows that Lehmann Israel Katzenberger, commonly called Leo Katzenberger, was a merchant and head of the Jewish community in Nuernberg; that he was “sentenced to death for an offense under paragraph 2, legally identical with an offense under paragraph 4 of the decree against public enemies in connection with the offense of racial pollution.” The trial was held in the public session on 13 March 1942. Katzenberger’s age at that time was over 68 years.
The offense of racial pollution with which he was charged comes under article 2 of the Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor. This section reads as follows:
“Sexual intercourse (except in marriage) between Jews and German nationals of German or German-related blood is forbidden.”
The applicable sections of the Decree Against Public Enemies reads as follows:
“Section 2
“Crimes During Air Raids
“Whoever commits a crime or offense against the body, life, or property, taking advantage of air raid protection measures, is punishable by hard labor of up to 15 years, or for life, and in particularly severe cases, punishable by death.
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“Section 4
“Exploitation of the State of War a Reason for More Severe Punishment