Rostock murder trial: verdict in Fabian's death expected
The Rostock Regional Court will deliver its verdict today in the trial over the death of eight-year-old Fabian. The prosecution is seeking a life sentence for defendant Gina H., whilst the defence is calling for an acquittal.
Verdict announcement in the case of eight-year-old Fabian
The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Rostock Regional Court will deliver its verdict today in the murder trial concerning eight-year-old Fabian from Güstrow. Over more than 30 trial days, judges and lay assessors have sought to determine whether 30-year-old Gina H. killed the child of her former life partner on 10 October 2025. The presiding judge Holger Schütt will reportedly spend several hours presenting his reasoning.
According to the prosecution, Gina H. lured the boy, who was at home alone due to illness, out of his mother's flat and killed him at a secluded pond near Klein Upahl with six stab wounds to the upper body. In their view, the defendant wanted to take revenge on Fabian's father for the separation that had taken place eight weeks earlier and hoped that the relationship might have a fresh chance without the child. The prosecutors cite numerous pieces of circumstantial evidence that formed an "unmovable" chain of proof during the trial. They are seeking a life sentence and a determination of particular severity of guilt.
Gina H. has repeatedly denied all allegations. Her two defence counsel argue that the chain of evidence contains numerous gaps that the prosecution has filled with conjecture and speculation. What is decisive for the defence is the following: two children reportedly saw Fabian in Güstrow at a time when, according to the prosecution's theory, he should already have been dead. They are calling for an acquittal. During the so-called final statement, Gina H. emphatically asserted her innocence.
According to the law, at least four of the five judges and lay assessors on the criminal chamber must agree to a guilty verdict. How the individual panel members vote remains confidential.
The trial proceedings were marked by considerable public interest. The approximately 150 spectator seats in the courtroom were frequently completely filled. The criminal chamber heard 75 witnesses and experts, according to court circles. The electronically maintained main case file comprises 19 volumes—if printed out, that would amount to 45,000 sheets of paper. In addition, there are 28 special volumes as well as electronic data totalling 3.6 terabytes, consisting primarily of data from seized mobile phones.
Gina H. has already announced that in the event of a conviction, she will go to the "highest court". Her defence counsel would then initially file for a revision of the verdict with the Federal Court of Justice. The prosecution has not yet announced whether it will lodge an appeal in the event of a possible acquittal.
Source: WELT