process
Amok driver in Trier sometimes drove at least 75 km / h
Police officers in Trier at the crime scene where a driver hit and killed several people. Photo: Harald Tittel/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
A motor vehicle expert presented an expert opinion in the process of a rampage in December 2020 in Trier. Was the SUV defective and could no longer be steered?
The alleged amok driver in Trier drove his SUV on a section of the pedestrian zone between 75 and 90 kilometers per hour.
This emerges from a report by motor vehicle expert Denis Knippel, which he presented on Tuesday in the trial for the fatal rampage before the Trier district court. A 25-year-old student was caught at this speed and thrown 22 meters through the air. Five people were killed in the rampage on December 1, 2020, and numerous others were injured and traumatized.
Alleged perpetrator is silent
The crime car had no technical defects, said Knippel. “Anomalies” were not found in either the brake system or the chassis that would have made it impossible to brake or steer the car. Only one coolant expansion tank was said to have been damaged, but this had no effect on the journey on the day of the crime. The SUV, which was first registered in spring 2012, was massively damaged after the drive, especially at the front.
According to the indictment, the alleged perpetrator, a 52-year-old German, is said to have raced through the pedestrian zone in his high-powered sports SUV at high speed and hit people in a targeted manner. He has been on trial since August 19, 2021. Prosecutors have charged him with five counts of murder and 18 counts of attempted murder.
At the start of the trial, the accused had declared in court that he did not want to testify. So far he has not changed his mind and has remained silent.
Dozens of testimonies
According to the preliminary assessment of a psychiatric expert, the man is suffering from a psychosis. The trial is currently scheduled until April 26th. However, additional dates should be added, it said.
Dozens of witnesses had previously reported in the process how the car had raced through the pedestrian zone and hit people. Many said the car drove in zigzag lines, one said the driver stared straight ahead.