In the trial surrounding the violent act against two US visitors to Neuschwanstein, the Kempten regional court sentenced the US American Troy B. to life imprisonment for 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.
The court thus followed the demands of the public prosecutor and defense, who had each demanded a life sentence for murder for the accused 31-year-old. The man, who comes from the USA, admitted the crimes he was accused of in the trial.
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. 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.
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. 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 from her serious injuries a few hours later.
More on this soon on Süddeutsche.de