German court finds teen guilty in school shooting – DW – 08/05/2024
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A juvenile court in Würzburg has sentenced a 15-year-old for killing a 14-year-old co-pupil. The hearing took place behind closed doors owing to the accused's age.

A juvenile court in Würzburg has sentenced a 15-year-old for killing a 14-year-old co-pupil. The hearing took place behind closed doors owing to the accused’s age.

A court in the southern German city of Würzburg on Monday sentenced a 15-year-old boy to eight years and six months in juvenile detention for murdering a 14-year-old boy who was a pupil at the same school.

The court had to decide whether the shooting, which the accused had admitted carrying out during the trial, was a case of planned murder or of second-degree, unpremeditated murder.

State prosecutors, who argued that the murder had been carried out with malice — one element that can lead to a murder conviction under German law — as the bullet hit the victim in the back of the head, had called for eight years and nine months detention in a therapy facility with the option of more severe detention.

In its verdict, the court has accepted that line of reasoning.

  • Flying SquidMEnglish
    4•5 months ago

    I’m confused by one thing here and maybe it’s just a translation issue, but does that mean he’ll still be in juvenile detention when he’s 23 or 24?

    • @nihilomasterEnglish
      17•5 months ago

      In Germany you can be held in juvenile detention until completion of your 24th year of life. I believe after that the penalty would continue in a regular detention facility.

      • Flying SquidMEnglish
        1•5 months ago

        Thanks for the explanation.

    • @[email protected]English
      2•5 months ago

      after reading a few german articles about this and juvenile detention in germany, it seems so. I havent found anything indicating that he will switch to a “normal” prison when he is 21, though i think being let out early on good behavior might be an option

        • @[email protected]English
          2•5 months ago

          juvenile law can only be used on people up to and including 20 years of age. thats why i thought it was possible he would be moved to an “adult” prison when he crosses that line

          • @[email protected]English
            2•5 months ago

            In Germany, juvenile detention is up to 24 years. Juvenile law is also not that straightforward, if it’s applicable also depends on how “childish” someone still behaves. In some cases one can be 20 and still go to an adult prison, e.g. if they’re very violent and wouldn’t fit into the education-oriented juvenile detention. On the other hand, older people who behave very childish (e.g. because of a disability) will usually not be put into an adult prison and instead get something more therapy oriented similar to juvenile detention.