Ten years in prison: manslaughter celebrated on Bremen's birthday!

Ten years in prison: manslaughter celebrated on Bremen's birthday!

In a shocking case of manslaughter, a 23-year-old man from Bremen was sentenced to ten years in prison. The Federal Court of Justice confirmed the judgment of the Bremen Regional Court, which was made in 2024. The crime occurred in September 2023 during the then 21-year-old Bremer's birthday party, at which a 46-year-old was fatally injured by jumping on his head. The decision is based on a variety of evidence, including chat histories, witness statements and monitored phone calls, as NDR reports.

The defendant denies the crime, although he told others about his actions. His lawyer filed an application for acquittal and an appeal, which were, however, rejected by the Federal Court of Justice. Interestingly, the convict had previously been convicted of attempted murder and had received a suspended sentence after committing fraud involving false receipts amounting to more than 44,000 euros. In the future, he will be admitted to a psychiatric hospital because he was also accused of other crimes, such as arson and swastika graffiti.

The context of violent crime in Germany

This incident is part of a disturbing trend in violent crime in Germany. According to Statista, violent crimes make up less than 4% of all crimes recorded by the police, but they have a profound impact on people's sense of security. In 2024, over 217,000 violent crimes were registered - the highest number since 2007. The increase since 2021 is notable, when the number fell to a low of around 165,000 cases during the corona pandemic.

The reasons for this increase are diverse. Economic insecurities and social pressures, particularly among those seeking protection, could be one of the reasons for the growing number of young violent perpetrators. Serious psychological stress caused by the Corona measures also plays a role. Another aspect of concern is violence against emergency workers, which reached a peak of around 2,740 cases in 2023, statistics show.

Another notable incident that sheds light on the issue of violent crime in psychiatric hospitals took place on Christmas Eve 2024 in the closed psychiatric ward of the Bremen-Ost Clinic. A 42-year-old patient was charged with manslaughter after she suffocated a 62-year-old fellow patient. Medical examiners confirmed the cause of death was strangulation, despite the victim's existing health problems that strengthened the finding. The trial will continue on July 2nd with additional witnesses and could be crucial for understanding the guilt of the defendants, as Weser Kurier reports.

In a May 2024 survey, 94% of Germans expressed concern about violence and aggression, particularly against people in political office and against police and emergency services. The social and psychological impact of these acts of violence cannot be underestimated and raises questions about safety and security in our community.