Latest news Trial after fatal drive in Germany - defendant explains himself
After the fatal drive in the south-western German city of Mannheim last Carnival Monday, the accused has spoken about the crime through his lawyer at the start of the trial.
31.10.2025, 11:51
SDA
The 40-year-old from Ludwigshafen (Rhineland-Palatinate) confirmed the course of the crime in a statement read out by his lawyer before the Mannheim Regional Court (Baden-Württemberg).
According to defense attorney Uwe Kosmala, his client had actually planned the rampage in Offenbach (Hesse). The man's father lives there. While he was driving through the city center of Mannheim, the idea of moving the crime there came to him in a flash. At the time, the 40-year-old was in a "mental crisis". He felt a strong sense of anger and self-doubt and wanted to kill himself while driving, the defense lawyer continued.
Suspect shot into the air with a blank gun
According to the public prosecutor's office, the man from Ludwigshafen (Rhineland-Palatinate) had driven his car at around 40 to 50 kilometers per hour into the pedestrian zone of Mannheim (Baden-Württemberg) at midday on March 3. He then drove towards several people and hit them with his car. He accelerated to at least 80 kilometers per hour and hit and injured more people. Two of the injured died in the pedestrian zone - an 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man.
When the suspect turned his vehicle around to flee, a cab driver blocked his path, according to the indictment. The 40-year-old then fired a shot into the air with a blank gun to intimidate the cab driver. He then fled the scene. He shot himself in the mouth with the alarm gun in order to kill himself. The suspect was arrested and has been in custody ever since.
After the crime, the Minister of the Interior of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Thomas Strobl, said that the authorities were aware of indications that the perpetrator had possible contacts in the far-right milieu and were focusing on the investigation. The President of the State Office of Criminal Investigation, Andreas Stenger, said that it had been established on social media that the perpetrator had taken part in large gatherings of "Reich Citizens" - who do not recognize the Federal Republic of Germany and its institutions and claim that the German Reich (1871-1945) continues to exist.
Public prosecutor's office: no evidence of a political motive
According to the public prosecutor's office, there are no indications of a political motive in the man's case. "According to the results of the investigation, it can be assumed that he has been suffering from a mental illness for many years," the prosecution stated in the summer. It could therefore not be ruled out that he was of diminished capacity at the time of the crimes.
Life imprisonment if convicted of murder
If convicted of murder, the German could face a life sentence. However, a placement in a psychiatric hospital could also be ordered.
A total of 13 trial days are currently scheduled. A verdict could be announced on December 19.
