Murder on the Höri Peninsula: Verdict Expected in Cold Case
Headline:
- Murder on the Höri Peninsula: Verdict Expected in Cold Case
Lead:
- Over five years after the violent death of a 51-year-old man on the Höri Peninsula, the verdict against the suspected perpetrator is expected today at 10:30 AM. The man from Kleve, North Rhine-Westphalia, is accused of murder.
Body:
- The 49-year-old defendant is alleged to have killed the half-brother of his then-partner out of greed.
- The crime is said to have taken place in the victim’s house in Gaienhofen, Landkreis Konstanz.
- According to the indictment, the German national fatally assaulted the 51-year-old victim with multiple blows to the face and upper body.
- The body of the victim was initially missing until the defendant provided a clue in the court hearing. It was recovered buried at the crime scene.
Prosecution’s Case:
- The public prosecutor’s office requested a life sentence for murder in its closing argument.
- The prosecutor emphasized the exceptional level of precision and meticulousness with which the 49-year-old defendant disposed of the body.
- The defendant concealed the body so effectively that even cadaver dogs were unable to locate it in 2019.
- The prosecutor asserted that the defendant’s intent to kill was clear.
Defense’s Arguments:
- The defense attorney presented a contrasting view, characterizing the incident as manslaughter.
- The defense requested a prison sentence of up to seven years and mandatory treatment for addiction due to the defendant’s addiction issues.
- According to the defense, the victim’s half-sister instigated the defendant into the act due to her concern about her inheritance.
- The defense claimed that she believed her half-brother was squandering the money of their shared mother.
Arrest and Investigation:
- The defendant was apprehended in his apartment in Kleve on June 6, 2024, almost five years after the crime.
- Undercover investigators assisted in the arrest.
- The defendant reportedly described the sequence of events to the investigators in a manner that only the perpetrator could have known.
Remorse and Apology:
- Towards the end of the trial, the 49-year-old defendant expressed remorse and apologized to the victim’s family.
- He offered to recount the entire incident to the victim’s daughter, stating, "I am ready to tell you everything at any time."
Conclusion:
- The culmination of the trial is expected today, with the court’s verdict to be announced.
- The outcome of the case will bring some closure to the victim’s family and provide a resolution to the chilling cold case that has haunted the Höri Peninsula for over five years.
