Murder case in Cologne: Maximum sentence for cruel roommates!

Murder case in Cologne: Maximum sentence for cruel roommates!

The headlines from Cologne have shocked the community: The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has confirmed the conviction of four defendants who are responsible for the violent death of a 21-year-old woman. According to a report by the Review online The judgment of the Cologne Regional Court, which sentenced three of the alleged perpetrators to life imprisonment for murder, became final. A fourth defendant received a sentence of four and a half years for grievous bodily harm.

This shocking story revolves around a young woman who was brutally beaten and kicked over several days in the apartment they shared in Cologne. The attacks were sometimes carried out with a dog leash and steel-toed shoes, and the woman was denied both food and drink. She was only allowed to use the toilet with express permission. The police only became aware of the abuse after a tip from an acquaintance and rescued the seriously injured and dehydrated woman, who, however, died in hospital a few weeks later.

The defendants in focus

In the trial, which began in December 2023, two sisters, the older sister's partner and a former partner of the victim were in court. Although the ex-partner initially took part in the violent acts, only the three other defendants ultimately continued the attacks. The Cologne Regional Court confirmed the murder convictions against the trio, and the Federal Court of Justice found no legal errors in the verdict, so it is now final.

This tragedy has renewed the discussion about violence against women in Germany. Loud Statista Violence against women is widespread, especially in personal or family environments. In 2023, around 71% of the 256,000 victims of domestic violence were women. The numbers are alarming: In cases of intimate partner violence, the proportion of women was as high as 79%. These statistics make it clear that many women are not safe in their own homes and that violent attacks all too often go unreported because shame and fear of blame prevent those affected from reporting them.

Domestic violence in focus

The “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”, celebrated annually on November 25th, aims to raise awareness of this issue. There are a variety of support services available to women, including the “Violence Against Women” helpline, which recorded around 86,700 contacts in 2023. However, space in women's shelters often remains in short supply, which leads to frequent rejections.

The crimes against the 21-year-old from Cologne are part of a larger social problem that cannot be ignored. It is urgently necessary to educate people about prejudices and barriers to reporting and to expand offers of help. This is the only way to guarantee hope for improvements for the future of women in Germany.

The legal consequences in the case of the woman who was killed are a painful but necessary step in a battle that is far from won.

As the example from Cologne shows, women's voices must be heard in order to combat this violence and create a safe society for everyone.

Another case of violence against a woman that attracted attention is the so-called “Cologne insulin case”. In 2020, a woman secretly gave her 80-year-old father-in-law an overdose of insulin. According to a press release from the Federal Court of Justice The defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. Such acts highlight the dangerous reality many women face and the need to address violence.