9. Criminal case against Maximilian Seebacher—OJs. 196/43—judgment of the 2d penal senate of 10 February 1944 (President of the Senate Dr. Kiefer, Oberlandesgerichtsrat Dr. Sick, and Oberlandesgerichtsrat Dr. Stuber).
In the case of this defendant who, as a former Marxist, openly expressed his hope for an overthrow by violence, a severe penal servitude sentence would have been appropriate in place of the 2 years’ prison. In this case, however, for the reasons mentioned in your statement of 27 and 28 April 1944, I shall put aside my objections and refrain from further action.
10. Criminal case against Leo Graf—OJs. 22/44—judgment of the 1st senate of 22 February 1944 (President of the Senate Cuhorst, Oberlandesgerichtsrat Dr. Stuber, and Oberlandesgerichtsrat Eckert).
This defendant who had repeatedly propagated the abdication of the Fuehrer, would have deserved a considerably severer sentence than the 10 months of prison term passed. For the reasons stated by you, Attorney General, in your report of 8 May 1944, the sentence passed may, however, be accepted as just adequate.
11. Criminal case against Alois Baum—OJs. 22/43 of the 1st penal senate of 25 February 1944 (President of the Senate Cuhorst, Oberlandesgerichtsrat Dr. Stuber, Oberlandesgerichtsrat Eckert).
This defendant, particularly as an old Party member, should have shown more self-discipline. The annoyance about his treatment at the post office was certainly not sufficient reason to make such foul defeatist remarks. In view of the danger of these remarks, the sentence of 2 years’ prison term demanded by the representative of the prosecution would at least have been appropriate. In view of the serious physical ailment of the defendant I shall, however, refrain from any further action.
12. Criminal case against Karl Peter—OJs. 28/44—sentence of the second penal senate of 18 April 1944 (President of the Senate Dr. Kiefer, Oberlandesgerichtsdirektor Dr. Sick, and Oberlandesgerichtsrat Dr. Stuber).
The sentence of 2 years’ penal servitude passed on this defendant appears to me precariously mild. Even if he be a mentally somewhat deficient boaster he has, in an attitude of hostility toward the State, continually incited others in an especially hateful manner. I shall, however, refrain from submitting the files to the Reich Chief Prosecutor.
At the meeting at Kochem I requested the President of the Senate to explain, in what manner in the fifth war year cases of defeatism should be tried. I believe that I may now expect that the District Court of Appeal (Oberlandesgericht) Stuttgart will also pass judgments accordingly. It is indispensable that you, President of the Oberlandesgericht and you, Attorney General, will in future direct your special attention to these criminal cases. I further request you, Attorney General, to report to me until further notice when submitting indictments for defeatism, what sentence you intend to demand in the main trial so that I may point out possible objections with regard to the measure of punishment.
As deputy