Life imprisonment for 47-year-old after a "classic robbery-murder"

For a loot of 250 euros, he killed a man with a stab in the neck at the Hamburg Michel: The district court sentenced a 47-year-old to life imprisonment. "He committed a classic robbery-murder," said presiding judge Jessica Koerner on Friday. The drug addict should be housed in a rehabilitation center. The verdict is not yet legally binding. The Italian, who did not have a criminal record, followed the verdict with a lowered gaze. According to the conviction of the district court, the trained confectioner, who had money worries, killed his victim in the early morning of March 28 on the Michelwiese. The knife severed the carotid artery, said Koerner. "The injured person died within a very short time."

The accused took the Portuguese's wallet, took out 250 euros and threw it in the garbage. The perpetrator overlooked the fact that there was more money in a side compartment. He then sent photos of banknotes to an acquaintance, paid off debts and bought drugs. The Chamber convicted the defendant of murder and robbery resulting in death.

The public prosecutor's office and the joint prosecutor had unsuccessfully demanded that the particular severity of the guilt be determined. This would have practically ruled out an early release from prison after 15 years. "The entire family is suffering," the attorney for the co-plaintiff, who represented the victim's wife and brother, said in his plea. However, the court was of the opinion that the criteria for a particularly serious debt were not met.

The defendant admitted to having fatally injured the 62-year-old. But it was more of an accident, he didn't want to kill him, the man described his version of what happened at the start of the trial. Only a few weeks before the crime, after many years of family problems and drug use of crack and cocaine, he came to Germany alone to work and start a new life. But that didn't turn the tide.

After work he was in a bar, but had no money with him. The later victim gave him beer there. Then he only accompanied the man out of helpfulness because the drunk had swayed so much.

He asked the man if he could lend him 20 euros. Because he wanted to buy more drugs, the accused reported. He couldn't explain it himself, but the Portuguese suddenly pushed and attacked him. The 47-year-old explained that he pulled out a knife he had with him from work - but only to scare off his opponent.

There was a scuffle, they fell to the ground and the knife accidentally hit the 62-year-old's neck, the accused said. However, he could not remember whether he took any money afterwards. With regard to the testimony of her client, the defense attorney stated in her plea that a suspended sentence could also be considered.

"Everything I have said here is true," emphasized the defendant, according to a translator, in his so-called last word. "I ask the victim's family for forgiveness." The court, however, assessed the defendant's description as a mere protective claim.

Witnesses described the victim as a good-natured and peaceful man who had been at sea for more than 40 years. He said he wasn't so drunk that night that he needed help. He was out with a plastic bag filled with wine and bread and called his wife shortly before the crime, said the presiding judge. The fact that the attack came from the victim and the knife accidentally pierced his neck is a "made-up story".

In another trial about the fatal stabbing of a 25-year-old woman in Hamburg-Niendorf, which ended on Friday, the Hamburg Regional Court ordered the accused to be placed in a psychiatric clinic. The criminal court acquitted the 35-year-old of the charge of murder. He committed the crime while incapacitated. "The accused is not a criminal, but sick and needs help," said the presiding judge Matthias Steinmann.

The Eritrean confessed to the fact in the process. On February 20 of this year, he approached her in his partner's apartment and stabbed her in the neck and back with a knife. When the 25-year-old was lying on the ground, he stabbed her numerous more times in the chest. The mother of a common little daughter died a little later in the hospital from a hemorrhagic shock.

According to Steinmann, the accused told a neighbor who had heard screams and finally entered the apartment that he wished he were dead. The judge spoke of a "great tragedy". The 35-year-old suffers from depression with psychotic symptoms. He believed that only by killing could he free his partner from him as a bad father and a bad husband.

The accused and his wife fled from Eritrea to Hamburg in 2015. The man had been called up for military service in the East African country and had previously made several attempts to escape, the judge explained. The two met in Hamburg. Thanks to voluntary help, they would have integrated well. The helpers would have given the woman the apartment in Niendorf.

He found a job but then lost his job. Steinmann said he smoked marijuana for more than two years as a form of self-medication. He also played on his cell phone for hours. The woman found it difficult to get an education. However, it was a seemingly happy family. The couple celebrated their daughter's first birthday with neighbors.

Immediately after the crime, the accused had the child in his arms and gave him a bottle, Steinmann said. Then the father put it to sleep. The police found the sleeping child in bed shortly afterwards. It is now with a foster family and should - if a family court agrees - be placed in the care of an aunt in the Netherlands. The verdict is not yet legally binding.