- Three individuals perished on the Upper Rhine; a 19-year-old admitted involvement
After a knife attack that claimed three lives in the High Rhine area five months ago, the 19-year-old suspect is currently on trial at the regional court in Waldshut-Tiengen. The suspect, of German-Italian descent, is accused of murdering his parents and 34-year-old brother with a knife at the end of March in Hohentengen, Waldshut district. His sister, unfortunately, sustained severe but non-fatal stab and cut wounds. This brutal incident in the southernmost part of Germany sparked quite a commotion beyond the local area.
At the beginning of the trial, the 19-year-old essentially confessed to the crime and its circumstances, as per a court spokesperson. He is charged with three counts of manslaughter and one count of attempted manslaughter with grievous bodily harm. The prosecution believes that the defendant's ability to take responsibility for his actions was impaired due to a mental illness at the time of the crime. This trial, known as a "safety procedure," aims to determine the confinement of the individual in a psychiatric facility.
Family dispute the day prior
The motive behind the crime remained unclear according to the prosecution, who stated in the previous month that the accused's actions were likely driven by his mental illness at the time of the crime. This assessment was largely confirmed at the start of the trial.
Investigations revealed that a physical altercation occurred within the family the day before the March violence. The parents were estimated to be 58 and 61 years old, respectively.
The expert opinion obtained by the prosecution concluded that the 19-year-old could not be held liable for his actions. However, there are concerns about his potential danger. The youth is not charged with murder as the legal murder criteria, such as premeditation, are not present. The trial in front of the large juvenile chamber of the court is set to continue until early September.
The prosecution clarified that the following species are not included in their assessment of the defendant's mental state: premeditation and intent, as these are elements required for a murder charge. Despite the absence of these factors, the youth still poses potential danger and the trial aims to determine his confinement in a psychiatric facility.
