Ex-national player before court - Evidence presentation in the Boateng trial closed
The trial against the former football national player Jérôme Boateng is coming to an end. The presentation of evidence was closed at Munich I Regional Court, followed by closing statements from the prosecution, defense, and plaintiff. The presiding judge, Susanne Hemmerich, did not want to pronounce judgment today, which is expected to be spoken in the coming week.
Lengthy Proceedings
At the heart of the proceedings are violence allegations from Boateng's ex-girlfriend during a shared Caribbean vacation. The corresponding proceedings against the long-term defender of FC Bayern Munich, who recently switched from the Italian club US Salernitana to Linzer ASK in Austria, are dragging on. The Munich Magistrates' Court had already imposed a fine on Boateng in 2021: 60 penalty payments of €30,000 each, totaling €1.8 million.
The Munich I Regional Court sentenced Boateng in October 2022 in the second instance for assault and defamation to a fine of 120 penalty payments of €10,000 each - a total of €1.2 million. However, the Bavarian Higher Regional Court quashed the judgment due to persistent legal errors.
Allegations: Violence during Caribbean vacation
The accusations go back several years: Boateng's ex-girlfriend accuses him of attacking her in 2018 during a shared Caribbean vacation. She stated that the 35-year-old threw a windlight and a cooler box at her. Later, he spat at her, pulled her hair, slapped her in the face with both hands, and bit her on the head. She cut herself on the shards of the broken windlight, suffered hematomas, and abrasions. He threatened her that if she reported the incident to the authorities, he would ensure that their common children would end up in an orphanage.
Boateng had denied the accusations of his ex-partner from the start of the new proceedings. He stated that he had only defended himself against an attack by his then-partner and pushed her away. For this pushing, he asked for forgiveness. In his detailed statement before the court, he spoke of a "nightmare" and denied the violence allegations.
"Miserable relationship"
Shortly before the closing statements, a common acquaintance of Boateng and his ex-girlfriend testified and described their relationship as emotionally charged and extremely difficult. He depicted a incident where the ex-partner hit Boateng in the face and later fell herself.
The two had "a miserable relationship," the man said. "Both were unsuited to carry on a relationship." In particular, regarding the twin daughters, it was a terrible development. "I find it a shame that it has come this far," he emphasized and received agreement from Judge Hemmerich: "I do too."
- The trial against Jerome Boateng, formerly of FC Bayern Munich and recently playing for Linzer ASK in Austria, is currently underway at the Munich I Regional Court.
- Boateng is facing allegations of violence towards his ex-girlfriend during a shared Caribbean vacation, which has led to lengthy court proceedings.
- The proceedings against Boateng have seen various developments, including a fine imposed by the Munich Magistrates' Court in 2021 and subsequent appeals to the Bavarian Higher Regional Court.
- The Munich I Regional Court sentenced Boateng in October 2022 for assault and defamation, but this judgment was later quashed due to legal errors.
- People close to Boateng and his ex-girlfriend have provided testimonies during the court process, including a common acquaintance who described their relationship as emotionally charged and difficult.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Germany is presenting evidence and arguments in favor of Criminality accusations against Boateng.
- Boateng's defense is submitting proof in the court process to challenge the allegations and provide a different version of events.
- The people involved and following the trial are eagerly awaiting the final judgment from the Munich District Court in the coming week.
