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“Defendant Erich Naumann, on the counts of the indictment on which you have been convicted, the Tribunal sentences you to death by hanging.” Other prisoners followed, one at a time. Judge Musmanno spoke, “Defendant Otto Ohlendorf, on the counts of the indictment on which you have been convicted, the Tribunal sentences you to death by hanging.” The condemned man stood erect, took off his earphones, and without any expression, nodded and stepped back into the small lift that then slowly descended, as if into Hell. Ohlendorf glanced at the guards and the judges and slowly put on the earphones that were handed to him. Their white batons were gripped in both hands on the ready in front of them. He was flanked by two very tall black guards in crisp U.S. Soon, the dark paneled door, leading into the center of the dock from the prison below, slid open. The assemblage was called to order as the Judges filed in wearing their black robes over their civilian clothes. Slowly, the room filled with German defense counsel, members of the prosecution staff, translators, clerks, and a smattering of visitors in the gallery. I knew it would be a grim day-especially for those accused of the cold-blooded murder of more than a million innocent men, women, and children. It was April 10, 1948, and the past two days had been spent listening to the three Judges read their massive judgment that rejected all arguments put forth for the defendants.
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When I entered and took my seat at the Prosecutor’s table on the day of sentencing, the courtroom was empty.