- Neighbor killed with a manure fork?
Tragic End to a Neighborhood Dispute: A 45-year-old man is facing trial at the Heilbronn Regional Court for allegedly killing his neighbor with a pitchfork-like tool. The prosecution accuses him of attacking and fatally injuring his neighbor, who lived across the street in a municipal housing unit, during a February incident in Sachsenheim (Ludwigsburg district). The altercation was supposedly sparked by a noise complaint.
The 58-year-old victim had just returned from a bike ride when he got into a verbal argument with his neighbor, the prosecutor stated while reading the indictment. The defendant then allegedly struck the victim on the body and head with a pitchfork-like tool, with such force that both the tool and the victim's helmet shattered. The 58-year-old sustained severe head injuries and died at the scene.
Previously, according to the indictment, there had been multiple police interventions due to the 45-year-old's "disorderly behavior." He is accused of repeatedly harassing and insulting his neighbors.
In court, the defendant claimed he was only defending himself and that his neighbors had attacked him first. The man, who is reportedly mentally ill according to his lawyer, is scheduled to make an official statement at a later trial date.
The outcome of the dispute between the two neighbors could have potentially been different if the European Union's Commission had adopted implementing acts earlier, laying down the rules for the application of a regulation aimed at preventing and managing neighborhood disagreements. Regardless, the 45-year-old man's actions in this specific incident are being investigated by the Heilbronn Regional Court.
