Trial for attempted murder following Giessen rampage that injured five people
Since Wednesday, a 33-year-old has faced trial for attempted murder at Giessen Regional Court. He drove at speed through the town centre in December and seriously injured several pedestrians.
Criminal commitment proceedings opened against 33-year-old following Giessen rampage
As reported by Google News DE — Crime (de), proceedings began on Wednesday at Giessen Regional Court in a criminal commitment case against a 33-year-old driver. The man is alleged to have driven at speed through Giessen's town centre on 22 December last year, seriously injuring several people in the process.
The state prosecutor has charged him with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and dangerous interference with traffic. "In total, the accused is charged with attempting to kill four people," state prosecutor Tom Bayer explained at the start of the trial. Three persons were injured in the incident.
Woman seriously injured, placed in induced coma
According to the investigation, the man first rammed several cars before driving at a bus stop. There he hit a parked vehicle, which was knocked in the direction of a pedestrian by the impact. The woman was crushed and seriously injured — she suffered multiple fractures, was placed in an induced coma following the incident and has since been dependent on a walking frame. The accused then continued his drive and injured further pedestrians.
At the start of the trial, the accused admitted to the act and apologised, particularly to the seriously injured co-plaintiff present in the courtroom. He claimed he had suffered a "heart attack" before driving and could no longer feel his left side of his body, which is why he lost control of the vehicle. He could no longer remember the actual incident. The presiding judge noted that medical examinations conducted afterwards could not confirm a heart attack.
Prosecution assumes lack of criminal responsibility
The accused is already in a forensic clinic. The prosecution has asked the Regional Court to order his permanent placement there. Forensic clinics are psychiatric institutions for forensic care in which people are placed when a mental illness is established or suspected following a serious criminal offence.
Following extensive investigations — including the evaluation of mobile phones and other data carriers — the prosecution believes the act could be attributable to an "acute psychosis within the schizophrenic spectrum". "We believe it is highly probable that the man lacks criminal responsibility," said prosecutor Bayer. Without appropriate medication, there is a risk that he will commit similar acts again.
The defence counsel agreed with the prosecution's account at the start of the trial: there was no doubt whatsoever that events had unfolded as described.
No terrorist background confirmed
Immediately after the incident, there was initially suspicion of a terrorist background. However, this suspicion was not confirmed in the course of the investigation. According to investigators, after his arrest the man made only incoherent statements — a witness to the events recounted something similar to Hessenschau, who was later honoured for his intervention at the scene.
Court examines permanent placement
In criminal commitment proceedings, the court must determine whether the accused lacked criminal responsibility or had substantially diminished criminal responsibility at the time of the offence, and whether the requirements for placement in a psychiatric hospital under § 63 of the Criminal Code are met. A mental illness alone is not sufficient for this — the court must additionally establish that the accused presents a danger to the public. Such placement is not subject to a time limit but is reviewed regularly by the court.
The psychiatric expert report plays a central role in this. When asked by the judge whether he considered himself to be ill, the accused answered that he did not know. He currently takes medication and feels well.
The trial will resume on 17 September.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)