- Fatal Incident at a Nursing Home - Accused Denies Recollection
The 93-year-old suspect, who's currently residing in a nursing home and is alleged to have murdered his roommate, can't remember the incident when prompted by the presiding judge. "Nope," he replies after a lengthy pause, denying any knowledge of the victim. It isn't until graphic photos of the crime scene are presented that he vaguely recalls something, saying, "That kind of looks familiar." However, he fails to identify the man.
The trial against the senile defendant, who's accused of manslaughter due to his violent behavior, has commenced at the Traunstein Regional Court.
The prosecution alleges that the 93-year-old viciously attacked his 84-year-old roommate by assaulting his head and obstructing his nose and mouth, eventually causing his death. The incident occurrence happened just two days after the victim was admitted and one day before the defendant was scheduled to relocate.
The court ceases questioning the elderly man after a brief while due to his limited cognitive abilities. When asked where he is, he replies, "In a large hall." Nothing more. The judge decides to halt further inquiries due to his mental condition.
A psychiatrist who had consulted the defendant prior to the trial stated that he still had some capacity to recall memories and make statements about the event. One of his statements was, "The man acted like everything was his property."
"It was just a regular day"
The nurse on duty on that day, January 22, reported no unusual occurrences at the nursing home in Wasserburg am Inn, stating, "Everything was fine, it was a quiet day."
Violence in nursing homes is not an uncommon occurrence. In May 2021, an 88-year-old Alzheimer's patient was sentenced to detention in a secure psychiatric facility after sexually assaulting and brutally attacking an elderly female roommate with dementia, resulting in her death.
Protection and safety in care homes for dementia patients is expected to become an even bigger concern in the coming years. According to Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU), approximately 270,000 people currently live with dementia in Bavaria, with this number projected to reach 300,000 by 2030 and 380,000 by 2040.
Brysch: "We turn a blind eye too often"
"Nursing homes are not all blissful paradises, dystopian nightmares, or lawless zones. They house individuals with both physical and cognitive limitations," said Eugen Brysch, a board member of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, to the German Press Agency. According to his information, around 80% of nursing home residents in Germany suffer from dementia.
"High expectations are placed on the staff," he said. "They must recognize conflicts and manage their own frustrations. A culture of observation needs to be fostered. Openness in addressing deficits is an essential part of this. Supervision completes the picture." He criticized, "We turn a blind eye too often. Politically, this is a tricky issue because long-term care insurance funds a financially strained system. A nationwide uniform statistics on violence in care would be helpful."
The Traunsteiner trial has been scheduled for a total of four days. The verdict is expected on September 10th.
The defense argues that due to the suspect's advanced age and deteriorating mental state, the incident should be classified as 'Murder by manslaughter', not premeditated murder.
During the trial's closing statements, the prosecution emphasizes the grave consequences of the 93-year-old's actions, stating, "This was not just 'Murder by manslaughter', it was a cruel and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable elder."
