The Killing of Emma Gross (36 page)

Tues 24 June 1930

Under examination by the magistrate, Kürten changes tack and denies being the Düsseldorf murderer. He claims he got the details of the crimes from the newspapers and made up many of the details. After several weeks of cross-examination, Kürten reverts to his original statement. He is the Ripper after all.

June 1930 – Apr 1931

Kürten is a remand prisoner under observation by several psychiatric and psychological experts. Karl Berg, as forensic pathologist, plays a key role in psychological cross-examination and later publishes a book of the case based on his findings. Over several months, Kürten admits to 79 cases of attacks, rape, murder and arson, stretching back to November 1899 (after he was released from his first jail term). He committed his first murder in 1913. Frau Kühn's case, which first alerted Düsseldorf police to the possibility of a serial murderer in their city, becomes case no 45 on Berg's list.

To Berg, Kürten also gradually reveals the sexual nature of his crimes, involving ejaculation without orgasm from the intense pleasure he got at the sight of his victims' flowing blood. Experts assess Kürten's mental health under paragraph 51 of the German criminal code, which states that a criminal is absolved of responsibility if found to be experiencing 'a state of consciousness or a diseased disturbance of mental activity which impedes the operation of free will...' Berg argues that Kürten's lucid memory of his crimes is the first indication of his legal sanity.

Mon 13 Apr – Thurs 23 Apr 1931

Kürten's trial at a special session of the Düsseldorf Criminal Court held in a hall in police headquarters to protect Kürten from public attack. The court charges Kürten with ten murders and convicts him of nine of them. The court sentences Kürten to death by guillotine.

Thurs 18 June 1931

Frau Kürten writes to inform her husband that she has received 4000 Reichsmark in reward money for turning him in to the authorities.

June 1931

Kürten petitions Prussian Justice Minister for a reprieve.

Weds 1 July 1931

Petition declined.

Thurs 2 July 1931

Kürten taken to Klingelputz Prison in Cologne and executed by guillotine.

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