John Demjanjuk was convicted in a German court of working as a guard at a Nazi death camp and ushering thousands of Jews to their deaths. The retired autoworker was found guilty on 28,060 counts and sentenced to five years in prison. He has been released pending appeal.
The long, sad, convoluted tale of Demjanjuk is as tiresome at this point as it is essential, as perpetually fascinating as it is boring, but in some regards, the 18-month trial and today’s verdict means it’s over.
For the long-view, for perspective, for how we got from here to there with John Demjanjuk, look no further than this piece from Esquire, which delves into the trials, accusations, falsehoods, truths, and hysteria that have followed the man for decades. We really can’t recommend it enough.
This article appears in May 11-17, 2011.
Hard to imagine participating in a procedure so grimly dedicated to its own legalized version of torture. This old man has been besieged the last 30 years of his life for doing a job – likely his very first job – the description of which was not under his control. If proximity to crime is enough, the entire population of Germany should have been prosecuted. If proximity to crime is enough, God help us all who’ve turned our heads away in order not to see this unseemly process slowly grind up an elderly human being so thoroughly that, when his lonely time comes, cremation will be unnecessary.
Twas not proximity, but enthusiasm with wich he followed through with the grim task assigned to him which he is finally being held accountable for. You are ignorant, Seamarie, if you feel pity for this man.
He deserves no pity that goes without question. However since truth has come to light he will live however many days he has left in hell. He is where it began, he has to look into the faces of the ancestors he brutally executed. I believe in god and he gives happiness to those he deems fit. He will be punished for the rest of his days rather its in jail or not!