Jens Lehmann remains quiet after receiving his decision
Last year, following his conviction in the infamous chainsaw case, Jens Lehmann fiercely contested the verdict. However, during the appeal hearing, there seemed to be a shift. Lehmann remained quiet, merely nodding when asked if he had anything else to add to his lawyer's statements. After the verdict was announced, he left the courtroom swiftly, his head held low.
The hearing concluded within three hours, saving Lehmann around 300,000 euros. The Munich II Regional Court reduced the fine levied against the 54-year-old former national goalkeeper in the peculiar chainsaw incident at Lake Starnberg.
Instead of the initial 420,000 euros, Lehmann now owes "just" 135,000 euros. The court imposed 150 daily fines of 900 euros each for property damage and attempted fraud, which was right between the prosecution's (170 daily fines) and defense's (130 daily fines) suggestions.
Previously, the Starnberg District Court had fined Lehmann 210 daily fines of 2,000 euros each, totaling 420,000 euros, for property damage, insulting police officers, and attempted fraud. Lehmann disputed this verdict, criticizing the media's portrayal of his case as biased and lacking in evidence.
Quick Decision, Submissive Posture
During the appeal hearing, Lehmann was nearly unrecognizable. He made no comments, and when prompted to respond to his lawyer Florian Ufers' statements, he merely nodded briefly. After the judgment was announced, he exited the courtroom briskly, head held low.
The court's swift judgment was primarily due to Lehmann's cooperation. He and his legal team agreed with the prosecution and the court's initial conviction for property damage and attempted fraud at the hearing's outset.
The Munich II Regional Court only needed to determine the fine's amount in the second trial, which was completed swiftly. The proposed witnesses were not required to appear, and the video showing Lehmann sawing a balcony beam with a chainsaw was not shown again.
Lehmann had been accused of sawing a roof beam in his neighbor's garage with a chainsaw due to the neighbor's shed obstructing his view of Lake Starnberg. Additionally, he was accused of not paying parking fees in a Munich airport parking garage. The court dismissed the charges of insulting police officers who had come to seize his driver's license.
The lesser number of daily fines and their reduced amount were due to a reevaluation of Lehmann's financial circumstances. The Munich II Regional Court considered that Lehmann was under maintenance obligations to his wife and youngest daughter, unlike in the Starnberg District Court.
Lehmann showed no remorse, according to prosecutor Stefan Kreutzer. His behavior suggested "that he evidently believes he is above the law." Lehmann's lawyer, Florian Ufer, disagreed. "Regardless, I believe we see acceptance of responsibility and also insight," he said. The court needs to "shake off persistent and constant preconceived notions" when making its decisions.
Neither Lehmann nor his silent client offered comments on the verdict. He distributed a brief, typed "media statement on Jens Lehmann" to waiting journalists. It stated: "Today's decision is a fantastic outcome. The previous district court ruling was grossly excessive, as today's reduction of the fine by approximately 70 percent clearly demonstrates."
In the appeal hearing, Lehmann only responded with nods to his lawyer's statements, demonstrating a more submissive posture compared to his fiercely contested verdict last year. Despite this change in demeanor, Lehmann's lawyer claimed to see signs of acceptance of responsibility and insight in his client's actions.
During the hearing, Lehmann remained other than his usual vocal self, choosing to primarily listen and nod instead of making comments or contesting the charges as he had done previously.
