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15580207BRE00

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1558, February 7

[Bremen]

Lawyer Dirick van Minden to [Bremen]: answer to the complaint against his client Gerdt Breker by Brun Oldenburg and Johan Beling about the death of Cordt Hemeling in Shetland, in which he explains the circumstances that led to Hemeling's death. It was the rude behaviour of Hemeling himself that led to a fight on the ship, in which he was hit among others by Breker, and fell down. However, it cannot be proven that it was these events that led to his death, as he acted normally afterwards for 10 or 12 days, before he was found dead in his bunk. As Breker had no other choice than to confess, the obligation was forced upon him and therefore, it is pleaded to be declared null and void.

15591212BRE00

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1559, December 12

[Bremen]

Gerdt Hemeling to Bremen: defense against the complaint of Gerdt Breker's lawyer Didrick van Minden in the case about the death of his brother Cordt Hemeling on Shetland, in which he states that the witnesses contradict each other about what happened in Shetland, and that there is no alternative explanation for the cause of death of Hemeling than that he died from the blow dealt to him by Breker. Moreover, Breker confessed before Shetland governour Olave Sinclair, of whom he sends a letter of testimony, and demands that Breker pays the desired amount.