Charges filed against Leipzig car driver: two counts of murder and 85 counts of attempted murder
The prosecutor's office has charged Jeffrey K. with two counts of murder and 85 counts of attempted murder. The Leipzig Regional Court will now decide on the admission of charges.
Prosecutor's office brings charges against driver in Leipzig ramming attack
Nearly four months after the fatal ramming attack in Leipzig's city centre, the prosecutor's office has brought charges against 33-year-old Jeffrey K. According to DER SPIEGEL (Justice & Crime), the allegations include two counts of murder and attempted murder in 85 cases – a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office confirmed this on request.
Additionally, the German citizen is accused of dangerous interference with traffic in 91 cases. The Leipziger Volkszeitung had previously reported on the charges being filed.
In early May, K. drove his vehicle into Leipzig's pedestrian zone and struck several people. A 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man were killed. Six other people aged 21 to 87 were injured, including a 75-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman who sustained serious injuries.
K. subsequently stopped his vehicle himself and allowed himself to be arrested without resistance. He was initially placed in a psychiatric clinic.
The prosecutor's office is now requesting the termination of this placement and the issuance of an arrest warrant against the 33-year-old. The reason given is a preliminary written report from a forensic-psychiatric expert, which found no indications of diminished criminal responsibility.
The prosecution made no comment on the background and motives. However, investigators had previously stated that neither a political nor a religious motive was involved.
According to investigations, K. was in inpatient treatment at a psychiatric facility a few days before the incident. The Social Ministry in Dresden confirmed that he had been there voluntarily and was discharged at the end of April. K. had previously come to the attention of police – amongst other things for threats and defamatory offences in his social circle, such as insults, but without physical violence. He had no prior convictions.
The Leipzig Regional Court will now decide on the admission of charges and a possible trial date.