In Kazimierza Wielka, on 25 September 1948 at 10.00 a.m. I, Czesław Lasota from the Citizens’ Militia Station in Kazimierza Wielka, acting on the instruction of the Deputy Prosecutor pursuant to Article 20 of the provisions introducing the Code of Criminal Procedure (KPK), Article 257 of the KPK, due to the absence of the Judge, taking into account that any delay could lead to a loss of traces or evidence of the crime, which would have been obliterated before the arrival of the Judge, following the procedures set out in Articles 235–240, 258 and 259 of the KPK, interviewed the person named below as a witness. Having been advised of the significance of the oath, the right to refuse to testify due to the reasons provided in Article 104 of the KPK, and the criminal liability for making false declarations as stated in Article 140 of the Penal Code, the witness took the oath and testified as follows:
Name and surname | Józef Stępień |
Parents’ names | Franciszek and Maria |
Age | 46 |
Date and place of birth | 30 February 1902, Chruszczyna Duża |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | laborer |
Place of residence | Kazimierza Wielka, Kazimierza Wielka commune, Pińczów district |
Relationship to the parties | none |
With regard to the present matter, I know the following: In 1942 – I cannot remember the exact date – I was coming back from work at the “ Łubna” sugar factory with Majcher, residing in Kazimierza Wielka, when we got stopped by the Germans, who told us to get the shovels and took us onto the cart. We went to Kazimierza Mała, where the Jews had already been shot dead. There were three of them. I do not know who executed them, as I wasn’t present when that happened. I would like to mention that I saw a man from the criminal police, whose name I don’t know, shoot at those Jews after they had already been killed. I was present when the bodies of those who had been shot were buried. I didn’t bury them, because I couldn’t look.
At that the report was concluded and signed after being read out.