- The trial of the school shooting has begun
One year after the attack at a school in the Saxon town of Bischofswerda, the trial against a 17-year-old began at the Regional Court of Görlitz. On the first day of the trial, held in the outer chambers of Bautzen, only the indictment was read out in camera, as a court spokesman stated. The teenager is charged with attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, and arson.
He is alleged to have entered his former school armed with Molotov cocktails, a toy pistol, and a lighter in August 2023, severely injuring an 8-year-old. When the third-grader unexpectedly caught him preparing in the toilet, he allegedly attacked him with a knife, set himself on fire, and ran down the stairs.
The defendant listened to the indictment with relative composure. The flames were extinguished, and the then 16-year-old suffered severe injuries and was initially in a coma. The prosecution believes he formed the intent to commit the crime in May 2023 after setting fire to a garden hut in an allotment. Due to his age, the case is being heard by a juvenile chamber. The 17-year-old has so far not made any statements, according to those involved in the proceedings.
The now nine-year-old boy still suffers from the consequences of the stab wounds and has limited mobility, as his lawyer representing him as a co-plaintiff stated. The trial will continue on August 28, with the first witnesses expected to be heard.
The juvenile court proceedings will transfer to the 'The Court of First Instance' for further hearing after the initial trial at the Regional Court of Görlitz. Regardless of the outcome at 'The Court of First Instance', the 17-year-old may face additional sentencing or rehabilitation programs, as dictated by German law for juvenile offenders.
