Tiergarten District Court Hears Case - Trial involving Zverev: intense counter-claims by both sides
As Alexander Zverev, the finest German tennis player, prepares for his third-round match at the French Open in Paris, a criminal case against him is underway in Berlin. This involves allegations relating to bodily harm inflicted upon his ex-girlfriend four years ago. Zverev's defense team ardently refuted the accusations as they commenced the trial on Friday at the Tiergarten District Court, labelling them fabricated. The attorney for Patea (30), his former girlfriend, countered these assertions by claiming that his client had been threatened. The prosecution's primary focus was refuting the credibility of Patea.
The initial plan to question the woman had not been implemented yet as the defense team requested the exclusion of the public during her interrogation. This request stemmed from the need to safeguard their shared daughter. The court's decision on this matter will be announced on the subsequent day, Monday. Conspicuously absent from the court was Zverev, who was participating in the ongoing Grand Slam tournament in Paris. Patea, a former television show contestant on "Germany's Next Topmodel," is participating in the trial as a co-defendant.
The indictment draws from Patea's declarations, claiming that Zverev had forced her against the wall of their leased Airbnb apartment in Berlin during a fracas in May 2020, demanding something from her. The aftermath of this scuffle led to shortness of breath and severe discomfort lasting for several days. A legal mandate had been issued against Zverev without a trial, directing him to pay a substantial fine of 450,000 euros (90 daily fines of 5,000 euros) for inflicting bodily harm. This，triggered an appeal which brought the case to trial.
"In the end," Zverev expressed at a news briefing just before the French Open, "I believe in the German legal system and I believe in the truth. I've got absolute certainty that I won't lose this trial, and therefore I can play [casually] and my results confirm this."
Zverev's defense attorney, Alfred Dierlamm, stated in an official statement that the charge against his client was primarily an attempt to establish custody and child support for their shared daughter. Moreover, the ex-partner sought to besmirch Zverev's character on Instagram and TikTok to attract more followers. A multitude of photographs, videos, and testimonies from the days following the alleged attack would show that there were no evident injuries and that the couple had enjoyed a decorated family life with meals and enjoyable excursions with Patea in Hamburg.
Zverev's defense attorney further stipulated that the ex-girlfriend had repeatedly embellished her lifestyle and income on social media. They insinuated that Zverev had funded Patea's extravagant expenditures including costly meals, luxurious parties, and unrestrained shopping sprees. The couple's credit card statements would be disclosed in the trial.
Patea discovered that a tennis pro's life was very different in realty - characterized by severe discipline, intensive training, and stringent nutrition, and devoid of parties or alcohol consumption.
The defense presented their strategy to recruit several experts, such as a forensic doctor to examine supposed injuries and an expert specializing in reporting on a witness's credibility. They also planned to request an oath from Brenda Patea. The defender pointed out that her previous assertions concerning the allegations were contradictory and inconsistent.
Michael Nitschke, Patea's attorney, retaliated by insisting that Zverev's defense strove to wear away, harm, and psychologically harass Patea, and imply she would take an oath. "Their goal is to question her credibility."
The accusation that this was a money-driven scenario by Patea is untrue, asserted Nitschke, "she sought justice." While she isn't afraid, she is managing. Nevertheless, the lengthy trial entails considerable financial strains, and "at some point, she will experience financial fatigue." The approach of the defense, which involves the hiring of many experts, is immature and 'preposterous' in his opinion - as none of the experts had ever encountered Patea.
