Misericordia Domini

In Vienna, Karl Jaworek faced judge and jury to answer for attempting the assassination of ex-Chancellor Ignaz Seipel (TIME, June 9). To the court was read a penitent letter from the accused to his victim. The minimum sentence is usually five years hard labor.

Then Dr. Seipel appeared to give evidence. In his breast was the bullet which Jaworek fired; in his soul was misericordia Domini. In the space of four minutes, this ascetic, pale and nervous priest said that his illness following the attack was in part owing to diabetes and that he felt for the prisoner "in a spirit of forgiveness." Jaworek sobbed. The jury found him guilty; the judge, taking into consideration his mental inferiority, sentenced him to three and a half years hard labor; and he was ordered to fast one day in every quarter.