Murder case of Fabian (8) from Güstrow: Verdict against Gina H. at Rostock regional court
Rostock regional court has delivered its verdict in the murder case of eight-year-old Fabian from Güstrow. The prosecution has demanded a life sentence for Gina H.
Circumstantial evidence trial in death of Fabian (8): Court delivers verdict against Gina H.
Rostock regional court delivered its verdict on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the murder case of eight-year-old Fabian from Güstrow. According to 20 Minuten, 30-year-old Gina H. is regarded as the prime suspect — she was Fabian's father's partner until shortly before the crime.
According to the prosecution, Gina H. lured the boy, who was alone at home, out of his mother's flat under a pretext. At a remote pond near the village of Klein Upahl, she is said to have killed him with six knife wounds. Shortly afterwards, she is said to have set the body on fire to destroy evidence. Fabian was found there four days later.
Around four weeks after the child's violent death, an arrest warrant was issued against H. on suspicion of murder. She had stated that she discovered the body by chance during a walk. After her arrest, she made no statements on the matter and was placed in custody pending trial.
According to media reports, Gina H. had been in a relationship with Fabian's father until approximately two months before the eight-year-old's death. In an interview with Bild, she had emphasised that she loved Fabian like her own child. She cited her cooperation with police — including the handover of her mobile phone and car — as evidence of her innocence.
No murder weapon, no confession, no eyewitnesses
The defendant has made no confession, nor is there a murder weapon or eyewitnesses who implicate H. According to Bild, the prosecution's case rests on a chain of circumstantial evidence: Fabian's blood was found on a kitchen roll in the defendant's car. In addition, there are fibres, shoe prints and a car wash on the evening of the crime.
At the end of October, the prosecution requested a life sentence before the regional court. The prosecution considered it proven that H. had killed the child in a treacherous manner and for base motives. There was no reasonable doubt as to her guilt, according to the public prosecutor. He also requested the court to determine the particularly serious nature of the guilt — this would make early release after 15 years virtually impossible.
Defence pleads for acquittal
The defence counsel demanded an acquittal in court on 30 October. There was no complete chain of evidence to prove murder against the defendant, the lawyers argued. The prosecution's case rested on assumptions and speculation.
The defence questioned the evidential value of the fibres, blood and shoe prints: these could not necessarily be attributed to H. Moreover, the defendant had no motive for the crime. Additionally, two children are said to have seen Fabian when, according to the prosecution, he had already been killed by Gina H. — according to the defence's pleading.
Source: 20 Minuten