He is a shell of his former self. He is 92 years old and could be anyone's grandfather or great-grandfather. But if we turn the clock back about 70 years on Siert Bruins, we would not see "everyman" we would see a member of Hitler's Waffen-SS troops... the Nazi elite.
Prosecutor in Germany have charged Bruins with the murder of Aldert Klass Kijkema, a Dutch resistance fighter on the night of September 21, 1944. According to the indictment, Bruins along with another guard took Kijkema to an abandoned factory and executed him with four shots... one to the back of the head. The European community has long been on the hunt for Nazi war criminals. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, former Nazi soldiers (some famous, some not) have been captured living under false names and identities in South America, North America, and throughout Europe. Though Bruins is 92 years old, prosecutors feel that his conviction is still important as a reminder to what happened and what the Third Reich did... time does not take the horrors of Nazism away, nor does is acquit those who perpetrated them. Bruins is not the only aging Nazi recently brought to justice... just two years ago John Demjanjuk was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of 28,000 Jews at the Sobibor death Camp in Nazi occupied Poland.
Adoria Period 2
9/4/2013 04:35:27 am
I think that it is important that we put this man to justice. The fact that there are some of Hitler's men in our country it just irritates me. I've met people and heard stories about people that believe that what we did and trying to find him that we should be killed. They think that because your are Jewish you should be killed. that's not right.
Greg Period 3
9/4/2013 04:55:40 am
I feel that in this case age is irrelevant. This man committed horrendous crimes that can't even fully be fathomed; and for this he needs to be punished. The law is there for a reason; To punish the guilty and to bring justice to society. There is no reason why this case is any different. Letting him go will make it so other elderly criminals will try and get away with it too and things will just get all messed up in our justice system. All in all, no matter the age, a crime such as this one needs to be punished.
Hannah Capototsto period 4
9/7/2013 05:34:35 am
While I do agree, there is no evidence with 100% solid proof it was this man. I hope that if this is the man who committed such a heinous crime, he gets punished to the fullest extent of the law. If he is innocent of these acts however, I hope he is set free.
Ryan Agnew Period 1
9/4/2013 10:04:38 am
While any crime should come with a punishment I believe that Bruins should not be convicted for the crime that he committed. Bruins is 92 so if he were to be convicted and given a sentence he most likely wouldn't live long enough to see the end of it and he is a human being and most likely wants to spend the last few months or years of his life with his family and friends. Bruins was also most likely forced into the Nazi army because if he refused enrollment he would be charged with the crime of treason. So it may not have even been Bruins' decision to murder Kijkema in the first place.
Madison Morisseau - Period 5
9/4/2013 12:55:56 pm
I believe that Bruins should be convicted of his crime. Although he is elderly, and punishing him at such a late time could be perceived as "cruel", there is still no reason for him to not have to face what he did so many years ago. Age does not matter when it comes to justice, especially in this case.
Dera period 3
9/5/2013 12:53:03 am
I firmly believe that this man needs to be convicted of his crimes. Age means nothing in this case. Just because he is 92 does not mean he gets to avoid punishment. Regardless of how long ago the crime was committed, justice needs to be served. I'm sure that Aldert Klass Kijkema's family and friends would like to have him here to "spend the last few months or years of his life" with them, but Bruins took that possibility away. He needs to be penalized for his villainy.
William Sanders Period 1
9/5/2013 04:37:18 am
What this man did was horribly wrong. But I cant say I would prosecute him for his actions. I have many reasons why I wouldn't.
Kyle McElroy
9/5/2013 04:51:56 am
This man should not be prosecuted for what he did 70 years ago. Yes what he did was horrible and should not be forgotten, but he may have truly thought he was doing the right thing. "Our disgust with such people and what we perceive as their shoddy justifications for their evil actions is nearly universal... We find ourselves in an unenviable position. We can choose to persist in the deluded view of moral certitudes and objective right and wrong or we can accept that no such thing exists and attempt to justify our persecution of evil in other ways."- TJ Kirk, In Defense of Evil
Noah Chauvin Period 2
9/5/2013 05:18:44 am
I do not think that 92 year old Bruins should be sentenced of what he did 70 years ago because he might have been forced into doing it & also he might have been killed or put in jail. Also they might make fun of him for being not "Manly" or "Scared" to kill Kijkema.
Richard Golish- Period 5
9/5/2013 06:04:54 am
I had no idea they were still hunting verterens down for there previous war crimes. I believe Bruins should definitely recieve a prison sentence no matter what age he is. Its not like they would allow a 90 year old man to rob a bank and get away with it.
Nicole Gauthier Period 3
9/5/2013 07:43:39 am
Although I firmly believe that the law is equal before all, I simply admire Sander’s argument. Adolescents’ naïve minds have proven to be easily manipulated and growing up in a society infused with Anti-Semitism and Nazi propaganda could have created a new sense of morality for Bruins. In this identification with Hitler, did Bruins truly know what he was doing was wrong? It is easy for us to ask how could anyone find murder acceptable, but one must acknowledge that our generation lives in a different era with different morals. Nevertheless, I believe Bruins should be prosecuted because his actions cannot be excused. In extreme cases, if children, with so much life ahead of them, can be convicted of murder, so can Bruins. His imprisonment, notably a short time compared to his 92 years, will bring honor to the sacrificed Jews and their children.
Ashley Swindell Period 4
9/5/2013 08:46:48 am
I also think he should be put to justice. He needs to pay for what he did, even if he is 92. It doesn't matter how long ago it happened, that doesn't change the fact that he killed a person.
Akeel Rehman - Period 5
9/5/2013 10:11:47 am
I believe that Bruins should receive punishment for his past crimes. But only if he did them on his own accord. During Hitlers reign many of the citizens of Germany were forced into the military. If someone did not join the military they would be thrown into concentrations camps for suspicion. What if Bruins was forced to kill the resistance fighter. The article does say that there was three other officers with him.
Chelsea Lavallee Period 1
9/5/2013 10:14:25 am
I truly believe that Bruins should be convicted for his crimes. His age should make no difference; everyone grows old, and just because time passed him by does not take away the fact that he once committed such a cruel crime. Murderers should always be brought to justice, especially ones who worked for Hitler. Bruins was never punished for his crime, so it wouldn't be fair for him to get away with it. Although he may have finally realized that what he did was wrong, he can't take back the fact that he did it, and he deserves to face the consequences of his actions. The murder he committed was also very brutal and harsh, so they should not let him go just because he grew old.
Alex Pouliot Period 1
9/5/2013 10:18:16 am
I do not think he should be punished at this point. First of all, he is really old. Although justice should be carried, he would die if he went to jail now. Also, if this man was a soldier, Nazi or not, he was following orders. Some people do not have a choice in becoming a soldier, and once you are in the military, you need to follow orders. This crime was committed 70 years ago, and he was not fully responsible for his actions. There should not be consequences 60 years later.
Griffin Doyle Period 1
9/5/2013 12:08:23 pm
I definitely think Bruins should be punished for his actions. Even though his acts of Nazism had taken place 70 years ago, they should not be ignored. He was very elderly and probably would have died of natural causes, inevitably. For him to be brought to justice, convicted and put to death, avenged all those who lost their lives in World War II. Losing his life at 92 years old, is not as bad of fate as the people who were killed at much younger ages. No matter how old someone is, justice should always be served.
Sandra Chu Pd.5
9/5/2013 12:40:44 pm
Depending on the situation, time gives people a chance to change. In a situation where the law is required, time still gives people the chance to change. Only this time it follows you. This man has done a grave deed like many others and should recieve punishment for such acts. Some could argue that now that he is in his elderly years he should not recieve such punishment and may have not been right minded at the time of the scene. Despite that, he still carried out the crime and is not innocent. So his punishment should be carried out.
sophia kaczmarzyk period 1
9/6/2013 03:45:11 am
Skimming through the comments i saw that most people felt the man shouldn't have had to be brought to justice. I see it as if this man were younger all the comments would say that they are glad he finally got caught because of the herendous crime he committed. I don't care what age he is. It's unfair to not get any punishment for killing 28,000 inocent people. I feel that this man needs to know that because he is elderly he can't get away with what happened in the past and I'm glad that John Demjanjuk was finally caught and punished for his terrible crime, no matter what age or in what condition he may have been in.
Anthony gorton period 2
9/6/2013 04:49:18 am
I think he should be prosicuted because it doesnt matter how old you are. You cant cheat what you deserve you killed so many people and he expected to get away with it. He got what he deserved even if he was 92 years old.
Hannah Bouressa period 1
9/6/2013 05:17:11 am
Bruins should be punished for what he did. Even though he is 92 years old, he still committed the crime and just like everyone else, they get punished. It would not be fair if he was not punished because then everyone else who commits a murder does not have any exceptions but this man did that crime and just because years have passed isn't a good excuse not to put him in jail.
Anneliese period 3
9/6/2013 06:13:29 am
I believe that Bruins should be prosecuted, even though he committed crimes under circumstances that cannot be imagined today. Even though Nazi soldiers and German people were influenced by anti-Semitic propaganda, Bruins is still guilty for the murder of an innocent human. I do sympathize for Bruins because of his old age, and also because going against Naziism would have been dangerous for his family and himself. Regardless whether or not he was trying to serve his country, Bruins should be punished.
Bryana Mullin period 1
9/6/2013 06:42:52 am
What Bruins did was horrible, however I do not think that he should be punished for what he did. While it was wrong, and he knows it, he is 92 years old and probably not going to live much longer. If he was to be sentenced he would most likely not be alive when his sentence is over. Also he killed this man years ago, why punish him now? He deserves to spend his last few years, not in jail, he is a human being just like the rest of us.
Patrick Mascoli- Period 3
9/6/2013 08:33:20 am
I feel that even if he wasn't a Nazi he should still be prosecuted. Murder is murder, no matter the age of the killer. Even though he will die soon he deserves to pay for his crime just as he would've if he was caught when he was 20. If you add on the fact that he was a Nazi he should definitely be prosecuted to show that no matter your age you are still a Nazi murderer and will pay for your crimes if caught.
Abby Comtois Period 1
9/6/2013 08:52:47 am
Even though Bruins had killed this man such a long time ago and probably had realized how wrong it had been, I think he should still be punished, after all he still murdered a human. Maybe not by death, but certainaly with spending the rest of his life in prison.
Henry Cascella Period 3
9/6/2013 09:55:40 am
Despite this man's old age, i believe his still should answer for his crimes. What the Third Reich did was terrible, and time does not change that. The decades that have passed do not take away what this man did. He still executed that man in cold blood, age has nothing to do with it. James "Whitey" Bulger has definitely entered the latter part of his life, does that make all of the crimes he has committed go away?
Sara Period 3
9/6/2013 11:09:57 am
It would be unforgivable to allow this man to live his entire life having gotten away "scot-free" for his crimes. All actions have consequences, and it's only right that justice be served to Bruins. It is the responsibility of the European community to stay firm with the law regardless of his age. After all, does old age immediately erase all of Bruins' past crimes? Does time eventually change how awful the Holocaust itself was? Prosecuting Bruins is definitely the right choice.
Elizabeth Kunz Period 3
9/6/2013 11:43:58 am
Young men all over the German nation believed serving Hitler would bring honor to their country. Many of these men grew up in houses of antisemitism leading them to believe it was normal to verbally and physically torture Jews daily. With that said, Bruins was just doing his role in serving his country as a devoted Nazi soldier.
Victoria Curley p5
9/6/2013 12:02:38 pm
I'm one for fair punishment among everyone, but in a way I feel this case is different. At 92 years old and 70 years after the crime, I think it is more of a waste of time to commit Bruins. I'm not saying what he did was right at all and he should definitely have to take some responsibility, but he also has spent 70 years living a normal life and being a normal citizen in society. In many ways I feel a lot of German's were fearful if they did not commit these crimes, so in many ways I do not accept his crime, but I do think 70 years times is too long to prosecute someone.
Lenita LaRoche P.1
9/7/2013 01:55:39 am
A murder is a murder. No matter how old you are when you committed it, or how long it's been sense. If you've purposely taken the life of someone innocent, especially in such a cruel way, you should face punishments. But, I do understand how people say that Bruins should not face prosecutions any longer. It's been a long time and he's been living normally for almost a lifetime. He also could've committed the crime in fear. At the very least, if not prosecuted, he should have to take some sort of responsibility for his actions.
Lexie Leal period 2
9/7/2013 03:07:30 am
I think that he should definitely still be prosecuted, despite how long it has been, a crime is a crime. The families wouldn't appreciate someone getting let off the chain so easily, considering everything that happened. Even though he is older now, it would still make people feel a sort of accomplishment. Consquences come along with bad decisions.
Emily DeSantis period 2
9/7/2013 03:11:47 am
I feel that the conviction of Bruins was important because like the article says, it means the horrible incident hasn't been forgotten. He may be old, and some people may think the punishment is unnecessary, but it provides closure for families affected by the Nazi invasion. I strongly believe that what they are doing is right.
Morgan Almon- Period 4
9/7/2013 03:12:10 am
i think that this man should be put to justice. he killed somebody and just because this case is several years old, does not mean that this man should not be charged. his actions have consequences and he must serve time for the man he killed.
Savannah Smith
9/7/2013 04:42:16 am
I feel that Bruins should be put to justice. Even though he is elderly now, as the case is as well, the law and justice system punishes everybody equally, and he deserves a punishment for his horrendous actions. Years ago, in the 1940's, this man took a hand in the murder of thousands of innocent Jewish civilians, and he should not escape punishment just because he is 92 years old, and the case is over 50 years old.
Stephanie Period 1
9/7/2013 04:46:37 am
Some people think it is fair that he is being punished, while some say it's not. I am honestly caught somewhere in the middle because I understand that a murder is a murder and he should be punished, but i also understand that he could've been forced into murdering or even forced into being a Nazi soldier. He was also probably brought up to believe that the Jewish were bad so it wasn't exactly his fault that he thought this and supported the Holocaust. Once again though, a murder is a murder and maybe he should be punished, no matter what he was brought up to think or not.
Yanyelle torres
9/7/2013 04:49:32 am
I think that he should be punished. Even though he is old he should still be put in jail for his crimes. If he is not convicted the message that would be sent is that if crimes were committed over 50 years ago you can still get away with murder, which defies the basic rights and laws of any country.
Davis Boehm - Period 3
9/7/2013 05:22:44 am
In my opinion Germany is wasting time and money on trying to find elderly Nazi war criminals. It's pointless because the only men that should be punished is the men that started the Nazi party, if they are still alive. Most people followed the Nazi party because if you didn't you were probably going to be thrown into the concentration camp with Jews and other people the Nazi's believed to be inferior. The people who are convicted of Nazi war crimes today were made to do terrible things, most of them were forced to do them. No one punished the people who killed millions of Native Americans; those actions can even be connected to our founding fathers. To waste time on what happened 70 years ago is pointless.
Jacqueline Ferrara Period 5
9/7/2013 07:13:50 am
Siert Bruins committed those crimes during Hitler's reign. Although he witnessed a lot of deaths and executed many innocent people, he also was under the influence of Hitler and his false accusations toward the Jewish race. I understand why Germany would want to punish Bruins for such heartless actions but they also need to understand that he may have been forced or could have lost his own life for not obeying Hitler. While Germany is focused on chasing criminals from over fifty years ago, they should focus more on current issues in their country.
Rebecca Period 3
9/7/2013 07:49:08 am
I think it would be a disgrace if Bruins wasn't prosecuted. I do believe firmly that in some cases a statute of limitations is a very important and necessary right. People do change, and that should be acknowledged within the law, as it is. However, in this case, I feel like it's not even debatable. Nazism is forever unforgivable. I think Sanders brings up a very interesting point, but in this case, Bruins' prosecution is simply a matter of principle. It has to be done.
Shannon Lewis period 5
9/7/2013 08:46:31 am
No matter what age someone is, it should not interfere with the prosecutions. I strongly believe Bruins should be punished. The Holocaust was a sickening, terrible thing and no one should get away with it, even if he is 90. Let's say that they found this man in his 50's forty years ago...they'd prosecute him with no thought. This should be the same for a 90 year old man, what's done is done and there needs to be consequences.
Kate Fontes Period 3
9/7/2013 09:09:43 am
In this case, and in all cases like this, I feel that the convict should be punished. Age is irrelevant and just because he is 92 does not mean that he should not pay for his horrible crimes. If he were found some years ago, when he was younger, this would not even be a conversation because he would have immediately been prosecuted, so what's the difference now- aside from age. he still committed the same crime and he is sill the same person, so he should be punished fairly for his crimes. It shouldn't even be a question.
Carrie Period 3
9/7/2013 09:38:50 am
I agree that what he did was wrong, and should be punishable, but I believe that he shouldn't be convicted. He was a young, impressible man that was just following orders. He believed that what he was doing was right, although just because you believe something is right, doesn't make it ok. Maybe he is a changed man and feels terrible for what he has done and feels guilty everyday of his life. I cannot help but think of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. Although he stole a loaf of bread, and did serve his time, Javert always thought that he was a criminal, but only realized much later that he was a changed man. Perhaps, the knowledge that he lived and other didn't and the fear that he could be caught at any moment was a punishment enough for him.
Alec Bloomingburgh period 1
9/7/2013 11:16:05 am
I believe that he should be sentenced. Most people seem to think that he should not Be sentenced because he's an old man and it happened about 70 years. But in the end a murder was commited and the fact that it happened 70 years ago, to me, is irrelevant.
Zachory Saucier
9/7/2013 12:12:45 pm
I think that he should recieve a punishment because he was just doing his job. Yes he was there when the exacution took place, but he was doing what he was told to. I'm not saying he's innocent or guilty.
Zachory Saucier period 4
9/7/2013 12:14:44 pm
I think that he should recieve a punishment because he was just doing his job but not the way it shoud of been done. Yes he was there when the exacution took place, but he was doing what he was told to. I'm not saying he's innocent or guilty but the person exacuted was a resistance member, who should of been brought to trial
Peter Goudis. Period 5
9/7/2013 01:35:48 pm
I believe that a 92 year old manshould absolutely not be convicted of a crime that happened so many years ago. At this point in Bruins' life, what can officials actually do to him? My opinion is that this man should be left alone and this situation should be avoided.
Janise Nieves P.4
9/7/2013 02:01:06 pm
He should receive a punishment, it doesn't matter how many years have gone by, he's responsible for the lost lives of hundreds of people. 92 years old or not, human life can never be taken away with punishment.
Ellen McDonnell Pd 3
9/8/2013 11:06:30 am
I think that this man should be put to justice for the crimes that he had commited. Although at the age of 92 his life is destined to be over soon anyway, he should recieve the same punishment that any other criminal would. Siert Bruins was young and immpressionable at the time of murder, but that should not take away from the fact that he served under Hitler and took so many innocent lives. It is only fair that Bruins be put to justice. What kind of precedent would be set if he was let go simply because of his age? Justice needs to be given to this man, not so much because he deserves it and needs to be punished at the age of 92, but to show that old age is not a justifiable reason to be acquitted. Comments are closed.
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