The trial was presided over by Roland Freisler, chief justice of the People’s Court of the Greater German Reich. Freisler was an passionate Nazi and with the intensity of a manic he frequently roared denunciations at the accused. Despite how she was treated (even having to appear in court with a broken leg caused by her interrogation) Sophie told the court, “Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just don’t dare express themselves as we did.” Not a single defence witness was called and after a very short trial the judge passed a guilty verdict with a sentence of death. Sophie was hanged the next day, she was only 21 years of age.The guards were impressed with the courage of every resistor involved and relaxed the rules to allow Hans, Christoph and Sophie to meet before their execution. Walter Roemer, the chief of the Munich district court, supervised Sophie’s execution. Walter later told of Sophie’s courage in facing her execution, he says that her last words were: “How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause. Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go, but what does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?” After Sophie, Hans and Christoph were executed, the Gestapo continued their relentless investigation.
"I am, now as before, of the opinion that I did the best that I could do for my nation. I therefore do not regret my conduct and will bear the consequences that result from my conduct." - Sophie Scholl “Sophie Scholl faced her own death with supreme fearlessness and a deep faith in her moral, political and religious convictions. She showed that brutal dictatorships can only be averted through the courage and resistance of all citizens. She walked towards the guillotine calmly and with no trace of fear, believing that what she had done was the right thing to do. There have been many brave indiviuals in history. Sophie Scholl walks alongside the very bravest of them all. A white rose that will never die - with a profound message: FREEDOM
Please pass Sophie's message on.” - Frank McDonough |
"I knew what I took upon myself and I was prepared to lose my life by so doing." - Hans Scholl |