Paul Jorns

Jorns worked as a Kriegsgerichtsrat (higher-level court-martial judge) during the Kaiserreich, after having studied law with a specialization in military jurisdiction. He stayed in this function after the collapse of the Kaiserreich, within the Guards Cavalry Troopers Division. In 1919, when he was charged with investigating the murders of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, his conservative attitude became apparent. Jorns did little, if anything at all, to stop the crime’s circumstances from being covered up. He also released suspects who were being held in custody. Therefore, Jorns played a key role in ensuring that it was never possible to shed light on the murder of the two Communist Party (KPD) leaders. All the more striking is the fact that after that case, his career took off, with him winding up as a public prosecutor. In 1928, together with a colleague, Jorns brought a lawsuit against a journalist, accusing him of libel. The journal had accused Jorns of having demonstrated a lack of competence as a judge in his handling of the Liebknecht-Luxemburg case. The trial attracted a great deal of attention, with Paul Levi as the defense lawyer. The accused was acquitted, yet still fined 500 marks, after having multiple appeals. Jorns continued the climb the career ladder during the Third Reich. In 1933, he joined the Nazi Party; in 1934, he was appointed to the People’s Court and in 1936, he moved up to the rank of Oberreichsanwalt (highest-level public prosecutor).