Fabian case: verdict expected in Rostock in murder of eight-year-old
The public prosecutor's office is calling for life imprisonment in the trial concerning eight-year-old Fabian from Güstrow, who was killed. On Tuesday, the Rostock Regional Court will announce its verdict at the 35th trial hearing.
Verdict in case of murdered boy from Güstrow
The Rostock Regional Court will announce its verdict on Tuesday in the proceedings concerning eight-year-old Fabian from Güstrow. As n-tv reports, at the 35th and final trial hearing, the decision on the question of guilt will be made — but even with the announcement of the verdict, this mammoth case might still be far from concluded.
According to the public prosecutor's office, the 30-year-old defendant picked up Fabian from home on 10 October 2025 and stabbed him shortly afterwards at a pond south-west of Güstrow. The motive is said to be connected to her relationship with Fabian's father. The defendant has repeatedly asserted her innocence.
Public prosecutor calls for life imprisonment
Prosecutor Oliver Schley is calling for conviction for murder, life imprisonment and a finding of particularly grave culpability. According to his own statements, he is convinced that the defendant killed the boy. Fabian's mother, as a joint prosecutor, is also making the same demands.
The public prosecutor's office sees two murder characteristics as met: firstly, treachery — the defendant exploited the defencelessness of the trusting boy. Secondly, it cites base motives. From the defendant's perspective, Fabian needed to be "removed from the way" because he was a "disruptive factor" in her efforts to maintain a relationship with his father. The father separated from the defendant in August 2025 following a several-year relationship; she was financially dependent on him.
Schley also accused the defendant of acting in a premeditated manner. An instance of excessive killing was present — a single stab to the heart would have sufficed, but the defendant stabbed him multiple times. Schley also described her intention as demeaning, in that wild animals were meant to consume the body at the location, also known as a pig wallow.
Particularly grave culpability and its consequences
Should the court find particularly grave culpability and should the verdict become final, early release after just 15 years would be practically ruled out. The finding, according to the public prosecutor's office, requires that this is an exceptional case that differs particularly from others.
According to Schley, the defendant's relationship to the trusting boy is aggravating. One could count as mitigating that the defendant has not previously appeared in criminal records and that repetition of such a deed in the future is unlikely.
Defence calls for acquittal
The defendant's two defence counsel are calling for an acquittal. Lawyer Thomas Löcker argued that "many questions must remain unanswered and therefore there is no closed chain of evidence in the end". The defence relies on the principle "in dubio pro reo" — in case of doubt, for the defendant.
Other possible verdicts
Theoretically, conviction for manslaughter would also be possible — should the chamber be convinced of perpetration but see no murder characteristics. Court spokeswoman Anne Kruse considers this only theoretical in the event of conviction. "Basically, in my view, apart from conviction and acquittal, there are no relevant options."
The verdict is decided by one lay judge and one lay assessor as well as three professional judges — including presiding judge Holger Schütt. All votes carry equal weight; four votes are required for conviction. After the vote, Schütt will announce the verdict; the reasoning is expected to take two to three hours.
Appeal possible — case could continue
An acquittal or conviction will probably not mean the end of proceedings. Both parties have the right to lodge an appeal. The Federal Court of Justice would then examine whether the trial and the verdict are free of legal errors — without reopening the evidence.
The defendant has already announced that she will take her case to what she described as the highest court. "I will fight until I am free again," she said in her final statement. In the event of an acquittal, the public prosecutor's office and the joint prosecutors would probably lodge an appeal.
Source: n-tv