crime
Sick and dangerous – arsonist has to go to psychiatric hospital
Police tape is placed around parts of the building after a fire at a care facility in Reutlingen. photo
© Marijan Murat/dpa
The judge described the accused as mentally ill and dangerous. However, she is not a murderer. The verdict has now been handed down after the fire in a nursing home for the mentally ill.
Arson resulting in death, not murder. In his judgment before the regional court Tübingen, the presiding judge described the accused “as a woman who was scarred by life and actually pitiable.” According to the verdict, the now 58-year-old mentally ill woman must be admitted to a psychiatric facility. Judge Armin Ernst said on Thursday: “She is not a murderer who wanted to kill the residents. She wanted to kill herself.”
Three people were killed in the fire in a nursing home for the mentally ill in Reutlingen on January 17th. They died within minutes of smoke inhalation. Twelve people were injured. The accused herself suffered serious injuries. There was damage of around 300,000 euros.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly set fire to her bed that evening. Accordingly, she is said to have tried to kill herself with fire. A 53-year-old roommate and two roommates aged 73 and 88 were killed in the fire in the skilled nursing home.
Decreased culpability determined
The public prosecutor accused the then resident of the home of murder, arson and attempted murder. However, the prosecution assumed that the accused was significantly less culpable. According to senior public prosecutor Markus Wagner, she has been suffering from schizophrenic psychosis for decades. An expert also certified that she had limited talent.
The prosecution therefore submitted an application for protective proceedings to the regional court at the beginning of the trial. Further illegal acts are to be expected and the accused is dangerous to the public. The application took the place of an indictment.
The woman, who was visibly affected by her illness, made a confession at the start of the trial. “I didn’t want to kill anyone. I just wanted to kill myself.” She was not present when the verdict was announced.
Protecting the public is a priority
The presiding judge did not mention any punishment that he would impose on the 58-year-old. The aim of the placement in the closed psychiatric hospital is to protect the general public from dangerous people. Nevertheless, the accused committed a serious crime. However, she was unable to oversee her actions. “We have to come to terms with the fact that Ms. (…)’s condition will no longer improve.”
The 58-year-old interrupted the hearing several times during the trial with comments and questions such as: “Why is it taking so long?” She asked the judge if he smoked.
The 58-year-old’s defense attorney supported the prosecutor’s request for detention in her plea. However, she did not see the crime of murder as having occurred.
The fire broke out in one of the home’s four residential groups and was confined to one room. In the residential groups of the social psychiatric care facility, seven to eight mentally ill people live together like a family and with their own rooms. According to the medical director of the home at the time, it was an integration assistance facility for people who are at least 50 years old. They live there long-term, but are relatively independent, according to the city. “The nursing staff cannot be blamed in any way,” said the presiding judge. (Az: 5Ks 21 Js 1383/23)