Verdict expected in trial over alleged hostage-taking
A verdict is expected on Monday at the Hechingen district court in the trial surrounding the alleged hostage-taking of a teenager. According to a spokeswoman for the authorities, a 35-year-old man is on trial for allegedly luring a then 17-year-old into a cellar, strangling him and threatening him with a weapon in April in Balingen (Zollernalb district).
A medical expert said that she had been able to reconstruct what had happened in the cellar on the basis of strangulation marks on the victim's neck. The victim and the accused confirmed in court that they had known each other before the incident.
A few days after the incident, the police arrested the 35-year-old. He was initially remanded in custody, but was transferred to a psychiatric facility a few weeks ago.
The defendant's legal team is currently arguing that the accused's mental processes were impaired during the alleged crime. Despite the psychiatric evaluation, the court will still need to consider the evidence and make judgments based on the facts presented.
Source: www.dpa.com
