Suspect in Nazi trial admits killings

[Adsos Letter]

SOURCE: AP
By HENDRIK KLEIN, Associated Press Writer

AACHEN, Germany – A former member of the Nazi SS being tried for murder admitted in court Tuesday that he killed three Dutch civilians during World War II, but insisted he was following orders.

Heinrich Boere told the Aachen state court in a statement read by attorney Gordon Christiansen that he had killed a bicycle-shop owner, a pharmacist and another civilian in 1944 as a member of a Waffen SS hit squad.

"As a simple soldier, I learned to carry out orders," Boere said in his statement.

"And I knew that if I didn't carry out my orders I would be breaking my oath and would be shot myself."

LINK: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091208/ap_on_re_eu/eu_germany_nazi_hit_man;_ylt=AiQMsMduxyW_VA.CtMib5QlH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTNjOHJiY21kBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMjA4L2V1X2dlcm1hbnlfbmF6aV9oaXRfbWFuBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDNARwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA3N1c3BlY3Rpbm5heg--