- Schoolmate shot - defense pleads manslaughter
In the trial against a 15-year-old for a fatal shooting of a 14-year-old in Lower Franconia, the boy's defense attorney argued for manslaughter. Unlike the prosecution, he did not construe the act as murder and requested a six-year juvenile sentence, as announced by a spokesperson for the District Court of Würzburg.
In the defense's view, a conviction for murder is not applicable because no murderous intent was present. Particularly, the element of premeditation could be ruled out based on reconstructions and the circumstances of the crime, the lawyer argued in the closed trial. The defense also saw no grounds for imposing preventive detention.
The defendant, a German, admitted to the fatal shooting on the grounds of a school in Lohr am Main, northwest of Würzburg, last September. He stated that he did not intentionally fire the shot.
In his final statement, the 15-year-old reportedly apologized to the bereaved and expressed his deep regret. The defendant's mother also addressed the bereaved.
The prosecution had previously sought a murder conviction and an eight-year, nine-month juvenile sentence. They considered premeditation proven, as the shot was fired from behind. The prosecutor also requested preventive detention and ordered the 15-year-old's placement in a social-therapeutic facility.
The parents of the deceased Italian boy are co-plaintiffs in the case. Their lawyer supported the prosecution's argument on Thursday but did not make a separate request for sentencing. In case the juvenile chamber does not order preventive detention, he suggested the court impose a higher sentence than requested by the prosecution.
The verdict is expected to be announced next Monday.
The prosecution, as stated in the court proceedings, advocated for a murder conviction and a longer juvenile sentence compared to the defense's request. The Office of the Prosecutor argued for premeditation and considered the shot being fired from behind as sufficient evidence.
In contrast, the defense argued that The Office of the Prosecutor's case for murder lacks sufficient evidence, as there was no murderous intent or premeditation found in the defendant's actions.
