Defense lawyers in cult murder trial file appeal
The defense lawyers of an alleged cult leader have lodged an appeal against the verdict of the Frankfurt Regional Court for the murder of a young boy in 1988. The Federal Court of Justice will therefore deal with the case again, a court spokesman said on Friday. Experience has shown that it will take at least several months before a decision is reached.
Last week, the 76-year-old woman was sentenced to life imprisonment. The victim, the four-year-old son of sect members, suffocated in a sack 35 years ago. For a long time, the authorities had assumed it was an accident.
Three years ago, the regional court in Hanau had already convicted her of murder, but following an appeal by her lawyers, the Federal Court of Justice referred the case to the Frankfurt Regional Court for a retrial. She was tried there for over six months.
An appeal is also pending against the verdict against the mother of the little boy, who was acquitted of the charge of murder by the Hanau district court.
The appeal filed by the defense attorneys at the Federal Court of Justice raises questions about the original judgments made in the cult murder case. The prolonged processes surrounding this crime have highlighted the importance of thorough investigations and fair trials.
Source: www.dpa.com
