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Couple from Goslar innocently acquitted after 684 days!
Ramona and Thorsten R. were innocently acquitted after almost two years in prison. The case raises questions about miscarriages of justice in Göttingen.
Couple from Goslar innocently acquitted after 684 days!
A shocking case of miscarriage of justice is currently affecting the public in Germany: the couple Ramona R. and Thorsten R. from Goslar. After 684 days in prison, which they spent innocently, they have now been acquitted by the Federal Court of Justice. The reason: their daughter Josephine had falsely accused them of sexual abuse. Despite Josephine's psychological problems, who appeared as a co-plaintiff, the psychologists, prosecutors and judges involved believed the girl's incriminating statements. This decision resulted in a serious verdict that was ultimately overturned. [NDR].
The infamous story began with the first suspicions that arose through police work during the court proceedings. But the overwhelming evidence of innocence gathered by the October 2023 report from the “Iceberg Investigative Group” initially seemed to be ignored. Ramona and Thorsten remained in custody for five months longer until the judges of the Federal Court of Justice recognized the legal errors in the proceedings and finally overturned their verdict. Despite their innocence, the couple continues to fight to legally resolve the wrongful conviction, as the stigma of the false accusation continues to weigh on them.
Another case of miscarriage of justice
The tragedy surrounding Ramona R. and Thorsten R. is not an isolated case in German jurisprudence. Miscarriages of justice are rare, but they do happen. An extensive list of well-known cases shows that the justice system can sometimes make fatal mistakes. For example, Josef Jakubowski was executed in 1926 for a murder he never committed. In 1947, Johann Evangelist Lettenbauer had to serve 18 years for a crime he did not commit before he was acquitted based on new testimony. The cases of Hans Hetzel, who was innocent for 14 years, and many more prove that errors in the legal system can have serious consequences Wikipedia.
The investigation against Josephine R. for false suspicion is also part of this shocking story. She had not only accused her parents, but also other people, including police officers. Another complicated case could involve Josephine's former partner, Miriam A., who was also convicted. Miriam's lawyer and the public prosecutor's office have requested a retrial, but this was rejected by the Göttingen regional court as inadmissible and she remains in custody for the time being.
The long road to justice
The couple Ramona and Thorsten R. not only lost their lives as a result of this unfair treatment, but are now also fighting for justice and compensation for the inconveniences they suffered. The Göttingen public prosecutor's office has not yet seen any criminal misconduct on the part of the public prosecutor who conducted the investigation, which makes the situation even more difficult for the couple. For everyone involved, the question remains how such serious errors can occur in the legal system and how they can be prevented from happening again in the future.
In conclusion, this case demonstrates the importance of evaluating a defendant's innocence and ensuring that the legal system avoids erroneous verdicts. Romana R. and Thorsten R. are now in a position to clear their names, but the emotional and psychological scars will probably never completely disappear. At a time when justice is often taken for granted, this case should serve as a reminder not to close our eyes to the possibility of a miscarriage of justice.