American History Tellers - History Daily: The Killing of Benno Ohnesorg

Episode Date: June 2, 2025

June 2, 1967. Benno Ohnesorg, a West German student, is killed by a police officer while attending a protest in West Berlin.You can listen ad-free in the Wondery or Amazon Music app. Or for all that and more, go to IntoHistory.comHistory Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's dusk on June 2, 1967 outside the German Opera House in West Berlin. Behind a police barrier, a young female student stands among a crowd of angry protesters. They're demonstrating against the leader of Iran, Mohammed Reza Shah, who's been invited to attend tonight's performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute, despite his government's notorious record on human rights. A young student, in spots of black Mercedes, pull up in front of the entrance. Shoulder to shoulder with other protesters, she joins the rising chant of murderer as security agents surround the car and usher the Shah and his wife toward the opera house. Roaring in anger, the protesters fling tomatoes and eggs at them,

but the couple soon disappear inside, and that seems to be a cue for the police outside to advance. The officer's aggression is sudden and shocking. Swinging their batons, they force the demonstrators back from the opera house. Frightened, the young woman looks around, but suddenly the friends she came with are nowhere to be seen. She tries to find a way out, but she realizes she's trapped like everyone else. Her only escape is to an underground parking lot beneath a nearby building. All around her is chaos. The student is jostled by fleeing protesters. She stumbles, hitting the side of a car and falls to the ground. People trip and vault over her, and she struggles to get back to her feet. She manages to rise into a crouch and is frantically searching

for somewhere else to hide when the crack of a gunshot reverberates through the parking line. Terrified, the student looks around her and then sees a young man lying on the ground. Blood pools around his head, and standing over him, a police officer drips his pistol, a trail of smoke still rising from the barrel. The young student looks back to the man lying on the concrete. He doesn't look much older than she is, and if she had to guess, the wound he suffered

looks like a fatal one. 26-year-old Benno Ohnenzog will die before he can make it to a hospital. A student, husband and soon-to-be father was attending his first protest when he was gunned down. But in a time of espionage and intrigue, Benno's killer will hide a crucial secret for decades. And when the truth finally comes out, it will change forever the way Germans remember this fatal shooting on June 2nd, 1967. Looking for the ultimate online casino experience? Step into the BedMGM Casino app, where every deal, spin and gold brings Las Vegas excitement into the palm of your hand. Take your seat at Premium Blackjack Pro, where strategy meets top-tier gameplay. Drop in on the exciting Sugar Rush and Crazy Time slot games, or play the dazzling MGM Grand

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Connex Ontario at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. When a young woman named Desiree vanishes without a trace, the trail leads to Kat Torres, a charismatic influencer with millions of followers. But behind the glamorous posts and inspirational quotes, a sinister truth unravels. Binge all episodes of Don't Cross Cat early and ad-free on Wondery Plus. is History Daily. History is made every day. On this podcast, every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is June 2, 1967, the killing of Benno Ohnesorg. It's November 21, 1967, in a West Berlin courtroom, five months after the death of Benno Ohnesorg. 39-year-old Karl Heinz Koras sits up straight, adjusting the sleeves of his dark suit.

He was the policeman who shot Benno Ohnitzorg, and this is his trial. He's not been charged with murder though, but with negligent homicide, causing death by disregarding the safety of others. By now the trial is nearly over. All that remains is for the judge to deliver his verdict. Over the past few weeks, many people have testified about the day of the shooting. In his own testimony, Karl Heinz claimed to have been knocked down and beaten by 10 or 11 people at the protest. He also said that two young men had threatened him with knives, which prompted him to fire a warning shot. He claimed

this bullet must have been the one that hit Benno. There were no eyewitnesses who could corroborate Karl Heinz's account, but there was also no one to contradict his story either. This is typical of the problems the prosecution has faced in the trial. Their case has been plagued by missing evidence. The piece of Benno's skull that contained the gunshot wound mysteriously vanished, the pistol magazine was never found, and even Karl Heinz's uniform was conveniently dry cleaned before his arrest. All of this has led to rampant speculation in the press, and when the judge arrives, he hushes a cluster of journalists who are whispering to each other in the gallery. All of these reporters are eager to hear the verdict of one of the biggest cases West

Germany has seen in years, so they quickly fall quiet. Then the judge begins speaking. West Germany has seen in years, so they quickly fall quiet, then the judge begins speaking. Citing a lack of evidence, he issues a verdict of not guilty. A very relieved Karl Heinz smiles at his lawyer because he's a free man. Karl Heinz-Koros might have escaped a prison term, but he doesn't get off entirely scot-free. Following his acquittal, he is demoted from police intelligence to a local investigations department, but that's seen by many as just a slap on the wrist, and it only deepens the anger felt by many people throughout West Germany. Several suspect a state cover-up, that Benno was murdered by the police and the authorities

then deliberately misplaced the evidence. And at rallies across the country, young protesters claim the killing was a warning to anyone who attempts to question the German government. They say their country now welcomes brutal dictators like the Shah with open arms, but guns down those brave enough to object. These students have not forgotten their nation's history. After World War II, the Allied powers agreed to divide and occupy a defeated Nazi Germany to prevent the country from ever becoming powerful enough to threaten Europe again. That has led to the creation of East and West Germany. But many students see the West Berlin police force as a dangerous relic of the country's

past. More than 50% of its officers fought for the Nazis during the war, and they are still notorious for their anti-communist and anti-Semitic attitudes. So more and more students in West Germany flock to protest groups like the Socialist German Students Union or SDS. These organizations are unified by disillusionment with the status quo and a desire for justice for Benno Ohnesorg. With the public's strong support for their cause, the Onisork family launches a legal appeal over Benno's death. In 1970, Karl Heinz Kouras is once again forced to stand trial over the incident. The Onisork's lawyer argues that the original trial was

severely flawed and did not consider all the available evidence. Still, the second trial ends the same way as the first. Karl Heinz is acquitted once again. Following this verdict, some formerly peaceful protesters start to see violence as a legitimate form of resistance. In this new, more extreme form of rebellion, militant left-wing groups like the Red Army faction begin to emerge. Their methods of urban guerrilla warfare include bombing department stores and robbing banks to finance their activities. One group of young anarchists even call themselves the Second of June Movement, naming themselves after the date Beno Onisork was killed.

But though Beno's death is central to their identity, their mission goes far beyond fighting for justice for him. The group is also committed to taking broader revenge against their government at large. And in 1975, their agenda will culminate in the most daring kidnapping in West German history. In the early hours of December 4, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan. This assailant pulls out a weapon and starts firing at him. We're talking about the CEO of the biggest private health

insurance corporation in the world. And the suspect. He has been identified as Luigi Nicholas Mangione. Became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history. I was targeted, premeditated, and meant to sow terror. I'm Jesse Weber, host of Luigi, produced by Law on Crime and Twist. This is more than a true crime investigation. it meant to sow terror. I'm Jesse Weber host of Luigi produced by law and crime and

twist this is more than a true crime investigation we explore a uniquely American moment that could change the country forever. Welcome the people to a true issue. I mean maybe this would be rich and powerful people to acknowledge the barbaric nature of our health care system. Listen to law and crimes's Luigi exclusively on Wondery Plus. You can join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Spotify or Apple podcasts. In 1930s Germany, engineer Ferdinand Porsche

wanted to redefine the European auto industry with a mass market car that anyone could afford. But Ferdinand could only find one man who shared his vision, Adolf Hitler. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, host of Wondery Show Business Movers. We tell the true stories of business leaders who risked it all, the critical moments that define their journey, and the ideas that transform the way we live our lives. In our latest series, Ferdinand Porsche's car design firm is left in ruins after World War II, and with Ferdinand facing the prospect of life in jail for war crimes, it's left to his son to rebuild the company from the ground up. But as West Germany, ruins after World War II, and with Ferdinand facing the prospect of life in jail for war crimes, it's left to his son to rebuild the company from the ground up. But as West Germany

rises from the ashes, Ferry Porsche reinvents the family business as a high-performance sports car manufacturer. And with Ferry in the driver's seat, Porsche becomes one of the world's most coveted brands. Follow Business Movers wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen ad-free on the Amazon Music or Wondery app. It's just before 9 a.m. on February 27, 1975, in West Berlin, more than seven years after the shooting of Benno Onnesorg. Peter Lawrence, a tall and slender politician with thick-rimmed glasses, gazes out of his black Mercedes, watching the bare trees that line the street flick by the window. West Berlin's elections are just three days away, and Peter is poised to become the city's

first conservative mayor in 20 years. But Peter's attention is dragged away from the car window when a four-ton truck pulls into the intersection right in front of them. Peter's driver slams on the brake, jolting Peter forward in his seat. The Mercedes skids to a stop, but the car behind them does not. Furious, the driver gets out to inspect the damage to the rear of his car, and Peter watches through the windscreen Wondering what caused this truck to block the intersection just then a man carrying a long broom emerges from the trees He runs toward the Mercedes

Smashes the broom over the driver's head and knocks him unconscious Peter realizes. This is not an accident. It's an ambush But before he can flee four masked men fling open the doors of Peter's car. The largest of them pins Peter to the seat. Peter thrashes with all his might, but the men hold him down until one of them can rip back Peter's sleeve and inject something into his arm. Then, as the car's engine restarts, Peter begins to feel drowsy. By the time the car is in motion and hurtling down the road once more, he is unconscious. After his abduction, Peter is moved to another car, then a truck, before finally waking up in a stuffy basement with a high ceiling and

soundproofed walls. Knowing that a prominent politician like Peter will soon be missed, the kidnappers release a Polaroid photo of him holding up a handwritten sign. It says that he is now a prisoner of the 2nd of June movement. This group of anarchists have pulled violent stunts before, so the government is worried for Peter's safety. But Peter's captors are determined to treat their hostage humanely. They provide him with a bathroom, with a privacy curtain, and he's given newspapers every day, though the stories about his own kidnapping are censored. And at first, the kidnappers try to question him about politics and the corruption they see in his party, but eventually they give up and just play chess with him instead. But the 2nd of June movement has serious demands in exchange for Peter's

release, and they mail these directly to the press. They want the release of six imprisoned anarchists, whose crimes range from membership in an illegal organization to the press. They want the release of six imprisoned anarchists whose crimes range from membership in an illegal organization to attempted murder. The movement also asks that the prisoners be put on a plane bound for Yemen, an ally of the Soviet Union. To guarantee the safety of the prisoners, the 2nd of June movement wants the former mayor of Berlin, Heinrich Albatz, to join them on the plane as a voluntary hostage. The deadline they give is 9 a.m. the following Monday, and if they don't get what they want by then, they say they're going to kill Peter.

On Sunday morning, one day before the deadline, while the authorities discuss arrangements for the prisoners' release, the West Berlin elections take place. Peter Lawrence's Christian Democratic Union Party wins the majority of votes, and Peter himself learns of the results when the kidnappers climb down a ladder into the basement and congratulate him on becoming the next mayor, though they remind him that he won't be taking

office unless their demands are met. Then on Monday morning, a plane takes off from Frankfurt Airport. On board are the newly released anarchist prisoners and their voluntary hostage Heinrich Albertz. When the plane lands in Yemen, the prisoners and their voluntary hostage Heinrich Albers. When the plane lands in Yemen, the prisoners disbarque and Heinrich Albers is flown back to Germany with a letter to deliver. Upon his arrival, he reads the message live on TV. The letter concludes with the phrase, a day like this as lovely as today.

This is the code to the kidnappers to release Peter Lawrence. So down in the soundproof basement, Peter's captors celebrate with a bottle of wine before releasing him. They revel in their victory, hoping that the kidnapping will make the authorities think twice about the way they treat protesters in the future, and believe that their success is a fitting tribute to Bene Olnusorg. But the truth about his death at the protest in West Berlin is still yet to be revealed. And decades later, a shocking revelation will alter perceptions of that day forever.

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You can listen to Redacted early and ad free right now on Wondry Plus. In the early hours of December 4th, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan. This assailant pulls out a weapon and starts firing at him. We're talking about the CEO of the biggest private health insurance corporation

in the world. And the suspect. He has been identified as Luigi Nicholas Mangione. Became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history. I was targeted premeditated and meant to sow terror. I'm Jesse Weber, host of Luigi, produced by Law and Crime and Twist twist this is more than a true crime

investigation we explore a uniquely American moment that could change the country forever. He's awoken the people to a true issue. I mean maybe this would lead rich and powerful people to acknowledge the barbaric nature of our health care system. Listen to law and crimes's Luigi exclusively on Wondery Plus. You can join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Spotify or Apple podcasts. It's May 23, 2009 outside a Berlin grocery store, 40 years after the killing of Benno Ohnesorg. Now 81, Karl Heinz Khorras, walks slowly to the store entrance.

He's on his way to pick up more beer. It's a warm day and the retired policeman stops to adjust his collar, glancing at the newspaper stand in front of the store. He sees his own name and face on every front page. His involvement in the killing of Benno Ohnesorg is being dug up again. But Karl Heinz doesn't need to read any of it. He already knows everything. After the shooting of Benno Ohnesorg in 1967, Karl Heinz was generally thought of as a policeman gone rogue. A fascist thug with a gun and

a jumpy trigger finger. But historians have now uncovered documents revealing that Carl Heinz was actually an undercover spy for the communists. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Carl Heinz passed information to the East German secret police, also known as the Stasi. As he rose up through the ranks of West Berlin's police force, the Stasi paid Karl Heinz more and more. But after Benno Onnesorg's death, the Stasi cut all contact.

They hid his files and destroyed any other evidence that could connect them to Karl Heinz, so the truth remained hidden for decades until now. When they are made public, the revelations are stunning. Many think it's possible that the Stasi asked Karl Heinz to exacerbate tensions in West Berlin and that's why he shot Benno. But there is no solid evidence to support this and Karl Heinz has no intention of providing it. He's tired of it all and he never reveals what really lay behind the shooting before he dies in 2014. His silence leaves behind a murky and confusing legacy.

Benno Onnesorg's death was a turning point in Germany's modern history when its young people pushed for a clearer break with the country's fascist past and a renewed embrace of democracy and human rights. The revelation that Benno's killer was inspired by socialism and not fascism upset all preconceptions about the case and ensures that for years to come questions will continue to be asked about what really happened and why when a young student was gunned down in a Berlin protest on June 2, 1967. Next on History Daily. After a rare species of bird becomes a sought after collector's item, the last pair of great hawks in the world is killed by Icelandic fishermen.

From Noyzer and Airship, this is History Daily. Hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsay Graham. Audio editing by Mohamed Shazi. Supervising sound designer is Matthew Filler. Music by Throne. This episode is written and researched by Angus Gavin McCarran. Edited by Joel Kellen. Managing producer Emily Berth. Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser. producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.