The retrial of Christ occurred in Jerusalem, Palestine, in June of 1931. The original article was published in the Jewish Telegraph on July 25th, and was reprinted or mentioned in at least 7 other publications between 1933 and 1935.
“Jerusalem, June, 1931. As it has been announced before, the debate on Christ’s trial and the revision of His death sentence has now been opened. At precisely 4 o’clock in the morning the law courts were closely packed and the assistance of the police was required to prevent the public from breaking in the doors. From the beginning of the proceedings many jurisconsults, who were specially invited to take part in the re-examination of this trial, were present. At the actual meeting the bench consisted only of celebrities of the Jewish race who, from the outset, had promised and declared that they would hear the case according to its merits and with complete justice, and correct any mistake made in the judgment of the olden times. The President of this court was Dr. Weldeisel, one of the most important legislators among the Jewish people. For the defense was the advocate Reichswev, prosecutor Dr. Blandeisler.
“At 14.30 (2:30 p.m.) the debate commenced, and the president gave the prosecutor permission to speak. Dr. Blandeisler unfolded whole archives of documents containing about 1000 typewritten pages. He started by proving that the court, at the time, when Jesus was judged, tried to proceed lawfully, for at the period mentioned nobody, except His disciples, could see in Christ the Son of God. He was a conspirator, who gathered people round Him to influence them against the authorities, and who preached a non-existing religion, and as such He was a danger to the community. Without further delay He was to be sentenced to death as many others before Him.
“The prosecutor continued grimly to accuse the martyr, basing his arguments on the documents he had brought with him. He finished his speech, which lasted for long hours, by admonishing the judges to confirm the sentence issued so long ago, as this was their duty and in accordance with the sound principles of justice.
“Thereafter, the president permitted the counsel for the defendant, advocate Reichswev, to speak. The hall was in deep silence when he turned to the audience.
“He said that he could prove that the sentence was an unjust and unlawful one, and that Jesus fell a victim to innumerable mistakes of the justice of that time. He proved that Jesus could not have been sentenced to death, because He had never committed a single crime. Moreover, He had preached such a religion as would lead to salvation, but which the human egoism of His time refused to accept. How could Christ be accused of a crime which He never committed? Never had there been even the slightest evidence of such a crime. He referred to Pilate, who had said, ‘I find no fault in this just man,’ and as a sign of his belief in Jesus’ innocence had washed his hands in the face of His accusers. But as they had threatened to report Pilate to the Emperor, he delivered Jesus to them.
“The defense continued the strong plea and asked the judges of the present court not to be selfish, and not to victimize real righteousness for political reasons. He drew their attention to the fact that the sentenced One was now in heaven and ready to forgive the injustice inflicted upon Him. After pleading for five hours the defendant finished his speech. The assembly retired to the adjoining room to deliberate.
“When the judges returned to the hall, the president read the following sentence: ‘With four votes against one, the defendant has been acquitted and His complete innocence has been proved. The charge against Him was a sad wrong which brought the divine punishment upon the Jewish race, who wished to expiate its guilt.’
“The defense was greeted with stormy applause. Then the audience went quietly away.”