German Teenager’s Conviction for Murder and Bodily Harm Confirmed by Federal Court
The Federal Court of Germany has upheld the conviction of an 18-year-old for the murder of a former classmate and bodily harm. The court announced the decision on Wednesday.
In August 2024, the Heidelberg Regional Court had sentenced the defendant to an 11-year juvenile sentence. The defendant and the victim, who were in the same year at a high school, had a relationship that lasted for several months in 2023. After the victim broke off the relationship in November 2023, the defendant became angry and physically assaulted her, resulting in a broken nasal bone, among other injuries.
On January 25, 2024, the defendant killed the victim in a school’s still room with at least 25 stab wounds. The Heidelberg Regional Court had previously deemed the defendant’s actions as treacherous and seen low motives and a particularly severe guilt.
The First Criminal Senate of the Federal Court reviewed the case and found no legal errors that would be detrimental to the defendant. The conviction is therefore final (Decision of May 13, 2025, – 1 StR 538/24).