Fabian's mother on Gina H.: "Smug manner" after verdict
Rostock Regional Court sentenced Gina H. to life imprisonment. Fabian's mother describes her perception of the defendant in the courtroom.
Mother of slain Fabian reports on trial
Following the sentencing of Gina H. to life imprisonment by Rostock Regional Court, the mother of slain Fabian, Dorina Lange, described her impressions of the defendant in court. According to statements Lange made to the newspaper Stern, the convicted woman appeared remarkably unmoved following the pronouncement of the verdict. The verdict is not yet final; the court also determined that the severity of culpability was particularly grave.
"I avoided her a bit more than usual because she just had to grin again right after the verdict was delivered," Lange said. She then deliberately focused more intently on the judge in order not to have to endure the defendant's "smug manner".
As the judges directed strong words at Gina H., Lange observed her closely as well. "I looked at her, she just sat there sulkily," she reported. Lange hopes that the convicted woman will come to understand the judges' words in future: "She has time now. And perhaps it will eventually get through to her."
Lange experienced the pronouncement of the verdict itself as a relief. "In the moment when the judge delivered the verdict, I felt relieved. A weight lifted," she said. Yet she was aware that emotional processing still lay ahead of her.
The presiding judge had personally addressed Lange during the statement of reasons and explained to her that she had in some sense restored her son's dignity. This statement touched the mother deeply. "That was very moving," she said. "I do not myself know how I managed all those days of trial. But Fabian deserved justice, that was important to me."
On the question of justice, Lange took a clear position: "Justice in the sense of the state, in terms of the sentence certainly. I am glad that she received the determination of particularly grave culpability. For me there will be no justice, because Fabi is no longer here."
The possibility of a future meeting with the perpetrator also occupied Lange's thoughts. When asked how it would feel to meet Gina H. in 20 or 30 years following a possible release from prison, she replied: "I do not know whether I will be so composed then. That will become clear over time."
Source: WELT