On Monday, an American man admitted to charges of murder and rape following allegations that he pushed two U.S. women down a ravine, resulting in fatal injuries for one of them near Germany’s Neuschwanstein castle last year.
The 31-year-old defendant confessed to the charges at the outset of his trial, as reported by the German news agency dpa. In the German legal system, defendants do not formally enter pleas to charges.
Defense lawyer Philip Mueller stated, “The defendant has committed an unfathomable crime.” The defendant, whose identity remains undisclosed in accordance with German privacy regulations, affirmed the accuracy of his lawyer’s statement but declined to respond to any questions.
The defendant faces charges of murder, rape with fatal consequences, attempted murder, and possession of child pornography. In Germany, murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The incident occurred on June 14 last year near the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle, known for offering a picturesque view of Neuschwanstein, one of Germany’s most renowned tourist attractions. Prosecutors assert that the defendant encountered the two female tourists, aged 21 and 22, by chance on a hiking path and enticed them off the trail. According to prosecutors, he allegedly first coerced the younger woman to the ground and attempted to undress her. A scuffle ensued when the elder woman intervened, and the suspect purportedly pushed her down a steep slope. Despite sustaining a head injury, bruises, and grazes, she survived the fall from approximately 50 meters (165 feet).
The suspect then allegedly strangled the younger woman until she lost consciousness, raped her, and subsequently pushed her down the slope as well, resulting in her death.
Prosecutors stated that they seized a laptop and cellphones from the suspect containing material related to child sexual abuse.
Authorities confirm that the women had no prior acquaintance with the suspect before encountering him near Neuschwanstein. The suspect was apprehended shortly after the assault.
A verdict is anticipated to be rendered in mid-March at the earliest.
