Poison murder scandal: Historian reveals the Stienken case in Lindern!

Poison murder scandal: Historian reveals the Stienken case in Lindern!

On June 16, 2025, a new book by local historian Johannes Bollen was published, which provides a deep insight into a tragic murder case from the National Socialist era. The title “Rattenkraut im Labor” sheds light on the controversial circumstances surrounding the execution of farm worker Anton Stienken, who was convicted in 1937 for the murder of his wife Maria. Bollen reconstructs the events precisely and leaves nothing out. NWZonline reports that the von Stienken case is an example of the arbitrariness of the judiciary during the Nazi era.

The murder case begins with the serious allegations that were made against Anton Stienken. Between February and April 1935 he is said to have poisoned his wife with arsenic. These accusations were supported not only by the statements of an important witness, Berta Niemann, but also by an anonymous letter that alerted the police and began with "Poison murder! Investigation!" was overwritten. Despite the numerous inconsistencies in the trial, including Stienken's lack of legal representation, he was sentenced to death on April 8, 1937.

The fine line of justice

The conditions under which Stienken was negotiated were anything but fair. According to Bollen, Stienken had little chance of a fair trial without legal representation in 1936. This becomes even clearer when one considers the role of the Lastrup local policeman Ripken and the NSDAP local group leader Dr. Ernst Stricker, both of whom expressed negative opinions about him. The conviction was followed by execution on November 4, 1937, and Stienken's body was made available to the pathology department at the University of Göttingen without a grave being set for him.

Bollen's work, which was published under the title "Nazi arbitrary justice. Reconstruction of a historical case", takes readers on an emotionally charged journey through the injustices of the time. In addition to telling the story of the murder case, the book also discusses the arbitrariness of the police investigation and the political background of the Nazi justice system. In this way, it provides not only a clear view of the justice system, but also a sense of humanity in a dark chapter of history.

Political context and historical roots

Anton Stienken's story cannot be viewed in isolation. It is embedded in the complex structure of the German judicial system during National Socialism, which differed greatly from the pre-existing Weimar legal system. After the First World War, the judiciary remained largely monarchical, which led to political persecution and discrimination. With the rise of the National Socialists, existing law became a tool for their reorganization of power, and political opponents were rigorously persecuted.

How doebeln-im-ns.de As he describes, the judiciary was brought into line and used as an instrument for the implementation of racist laws and the persecution of minorities. Stienken's case is an example of how the legal system under Nazi rule operated - often without regard to law and order.

Bollen's review is rounded off by a comprehensive analysis of the political events and the effects on people's lives during this critical time. This makes it clear that remembering and coming to terms with history is not only a duty, but also a necessity in order to learn from the past.

The book can be purchased as a paperback under ISBN 9783910347649 and as an EPUB under 9783910347656, and it invites all readers to engage with this important topic and to reconsider the questions of justice and wrongdoings of the past. Dealing with such cases remains of great importance today and helps to preserve memory.