Life imprisonment: brutal murder out of jealousy convicted in Cologne!

Life imprisonment: brutal murder out of jealousy convicted in Cologne!

A drastic case of violence has come to a tragic end in the Mülheim district of Cologne. On Wednesday, the 11th Large Criminal Chamber at the regional court sentenced a 54-year-old man to life imprisonment for murder. There is a story behind the verdict that shows the extent of jealousy and controlling behavior in relationships. The defendant brutally attacked his 38-year-old partner after the couple separated in October 2024. He inflicted over 26 stab and cut injuries on her, affecting her upper body as well as her stomach and arms. A judicial report found that the act was objectively cruel, particularly the devastating stab to the woman's abdomen.

The incident occurred in the couple's apartment, where the woman fell from the fourth floor of a kitchen window. It remains unclear whether this was a desperate attempt to escape the attack or whether she was even pushed. The defendant himself fell out of the window after being stabbed in his own stomach and survived seriously injured with fractures to his legs, ribs and back. Due to his health restrictions, he now has to rely on a corset.

Jealousy as a dangerous motive

The court found that the defendant's jealousy and strong control and dominance behavior were the motives for the heinous act. These behavior patterns are not uncommon; Violence against women is a widespread problem in Germany. In 2023, the proportion of female victims of intimate partner violence was around 79%. It has been shown again and again that such dramatic situations often arise in personal environments, which underlines the urgency of discussing the topic publicly.

The grand chamber's verdict exceeds the demands of both the public prosecutor and the defense, who had each demanded a sentence of twelve years for manslaughter. The co-prosecution pleaded murder because of the particular cruelty of the crime. During the proceedings, the judge expressed her wish that the case would be remembered as a warning to others.

The consequences for women in society

Theft, assaults and murder – numerous acts of violence against women occur every day in Germany. According to Statista, around 181,000 of the approximately 256,000 victims of domestic violence are female. The “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” on November 25th is an annual reminder of the need to raise awareness of these issues. But despite the large number of cases and a high number of unreported cases, many women are not prepared to report them, often due to social norms and fear of further repression. After all, around 30,200 women and children found protection from violence in emergency shelters in 2023, but the lack of space is a serious problem.

This tragic incident shows how important it is to bring up such cases. The affected family has been heard by the court, but the pain and trauma remains. The 11th Grand Criminal Chamber has set an example with the verdict - but there is still a lot to be done to protect women in their vulnerability.

Such cases are of crucial importance for the current debate about violence against women. They give a voice to the need for education and offers of help for those affected. Information about this can be found on the “Violence against Women” helpline at number 116 016, which recorded around 86,700 contacts in 2023.

For many, the conviction may be just one case among many, but it is essential that society speaks about violence against women and stands up for their rights. The story from Cologne is another sad example of how deeply rooted the problems are. Even though the case is now legally closed, the issue remains highly topical.

Rundschau Online reports in detail about the process.
The Süddeutsche sheds light on the extremely cruel act.
Statista provides comprehensive statistics on violence against women.