In Prison Call, Demjanjuk Talks About Lawyer

John Demjanjuk, on trial for Nazi war crimes, told his family in an emotional phone conversation from prison that he stands by his decision to fire the American attorney who headed his defense for five years, a family friend said Monday.

William Turchyn of Cleveland quoted Demjanjuk as saying “I fired him” in a 10-minute conversation Sunday from Israel’s Ayalon Prison with his wife and three children at their home near Cleveland. It was believed the first time Demjanjuk had been permitted to telephone his family since his extradition in February, 1986.

Demjanjuk ‘Not Broken’

The Ukrainian-born Demjanjuk, 67, a retired auto worker, is accused of being “Ivan the Terrible,” a guard who operated the gas chambers at the Treblinka concentration camp during World War II. Demjanjuk claims he is a victim of mistaken identity.

The American attorney, Mark O’Connor, has contested Demjanjuk’s decision to fire him, claiming the defendant was “totally crestfallen and confused” when he signed a June 30 letter of dismissal.

“That’s pure bunk,” said Turchyn, who said he listened to a tape of the conversation in Ukrainian. “The man’s not broken, his spirits are high. This man is prepared to testify. He wants to tell his side of the story. You could tell from his voice.”

Turchyn said Demjanjuk was “very emotional,” especially after speaking with his wife, Vera, whom he has not seen since last July when she visited him in prison.

Demjanjuk is scheduled to testify July 27. But Israeli defense attorney Yoram Sheftel on Monday requested an extension of the monthlong recess.

Court spokesman Yossi Hassin said the court would rule on the request at a special hearing Wednesday, called by O’Connor to challenge the dismissal.