1947-07-19, #1: Doctors' Trial (early Saturday morning)

Final personal statements by the defendants themselves

Official Transcript of the American Military Tribunal in the matter of the United States of America against Karl Brandt, et al, defendants, sitting at Nuernberg, Germany on 19 July 1947, 0930 Justice Beals presiding.

THE MARSHALL: Persons in the court room will please find their seats.

The Honorable, the judges of Military Tribunal I.

Military Tribunal I is now in session. God save the United States of America and this honorable Tribunal. There will be order in the court.

THE PRESIDENT: My Marshall, will you ascertain if the defendants are all present in court.

THE MARSHALL: May it please your Honor, all the defendants are present in the court.

THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary General will note for the record the presence of all the defendants in court.

This morning Tribunal No I has convened in order to hear statements by the defendants in person. It is not obligatory upon any defendant to make a statement if he does not desire to do so. The privilege of making such a personnel statement is accorded to such of the defendants as wish to avail themselves of that privilege. The defendants sitting in the first row will make their statements, those who desire to do so, from their places. The microphone will be placed in front of each defendant. Any defendant who does not desire to make any statement will simply inform the tribunal of that fact when the microphone is placed in position before him. The defendants in the rear row, when their names are called, will step to the entrance of the dock where the microphone will be in position and will make their statements from that point.

The defendants will speak rather slowly and distinctly in making their statements, so that it may be well and fairly interpreted. The Tribunal will now proceed to hear the personal statements on the part of the defendants. As I call the name of each defendant, he will proceed with his statement.