ARREST THEM ALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 7

ARREST THEM ALL.

Young German Judge "Muddles'* Death Inquiry. POLICE FORCE REBELS. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) BERLIN, September in. The papers publish accounts of the exploits of Judge Stahlberg at Neudamm, Brandenburg, Prussia, which recall the "off with his head" episode in "Alice in Wonderland." The judge, relatively youthful and inexperienced, was sent to Xeudaniiu to investigate the death of a youth who had been found drowned in a lake after a quarrel with his brother at a wedding Impressed by the responsibility of his task the judge caused to be arrested the entire wedding party, including the newly married couple, the parents of the bride, the bridegroom's father and the dead man's fiancee. He accused them of having drugged the deceased and thrown him into the lake. The Burgomaster of Neudamm, feeling that the judge's methods were open to criticism, lodged a complaint. He was just in time as the ardent criminal investigator, scenting danger, had ordered the arrest of the Burgomaster and the Chief of Police on suspicion that they also were implicated in the alleged conspiracy. However, the local police refused to execute the warrant. This gave their superiors time to have the judge superseded. The latter was ordered to take prolonged leave of absence to recuperate his health. All the accused persons were released as it was proved that the deceased youth had committed suicide.