Judgment made
Women attacked at Neuschwanstein Castle: American sentenced to life in prison
The defendant met his victims at the Marienbrücke in front of Neuschwanstein Castle
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / DPA
An American man has to go to prison for his attacks on two tourists at Neuschwanstein Castle. The question of possible preventive detention was controversial until the very end.
Nine months after the violent act against two young American women not far from Neuschwanstein Castle, a 31-year-old was sentenced to life in prison. The regional court in On Monday, Kempten classified the act of the man, who also came from the USA, as murder, attempted murder and rape resulting in death. The presiding judge Christoph Schwiebacher also noted the particular gravity of the guilt. This means that the prison sentence probably cannot be suspended after just 15 years.
During the trial, the defendant admitted the crimes he was accused of. After the man attacked the two women, a 21-year-old died in hospital, and her companion, who was one year older, was seriously injured.
Women attacked at Neuschwanstein Castle
The defendant and the women, who were previously unknown to him, met while hiking near the Marienbrücke in Schwangau. The bridge is a popular meeting point for tourists from all over the world because from there you have a particularly good view of the fairytale castle of the Bavarian King Ludwig II.
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After a few minutes, the man brutally attacked one of the two women in a secluded place in order to rape her. Her friend wanted to come to her aid, which is why the man pushed the then 22-year-old into the adjacent Pöllat Gorge – she fell about 50 meters deep. The defendant then continued to assault the younger victim.
Women thrown into ravine
When he was surprised by a couple doing the deed, the man let go of the woman and pushed her over the edge of the slope as well. Both women had to be rescued from the gorge by helicopter; the 21-year-old died a few hours later from her serious injuries.