Criminal trials progress in Germany and Austria

Several high-profile criminal proceedings are currently unfolding in Germany and Austria.

In Germany, the trial regarding the murder of eight-year-old Fabian in Güstrow reached its 30th day. The court rejected several defense motions, including requests for new expert analysis of mobile phone movement data. Internet search history and surveillance footage from a wildlife camera were presented, which prosecutors claim contradict the defendant Gina H.’s statements. A verdict is expected in early November.

In another German case, a man in Lauben was sentenced to ten years in prison for manslaughter following the death of a 36-year-old woman. While the court found he intended to kill her, it ruled that specific criteria for murder, such as greed or cruelty, were not met.

In Austria, the Graz public prosecutor's office has indicted a 31-year-old Cobra police officer for the murder of 34-year-old Johanna G. The officer is accused of strangling the victim with a belt and burying her in a forest. While he denies the murder, he has admitted to burying the body.