Is the father accountable for the offense?

A 48-year-old man, currently before a higher regional court, is facing trial for the murder of his seven-year-old son in Bremen, Germany, in September 2023. The defendant, who has been in psychiatric treatment since 2015, was previously sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Regional Court of Bremen in April 2024.

The defendant admitted to killing his son with a knife in their apartment. The boy bled out at the scene of the crime, and the defendant tried to take his own life afterwards, requiring treatment to survive. The defendant had given his son dissolved sleeping pills in an iced tea before the murder.

During the first trial, the defendant was diagnosed with a moderate depression and a schizoaffective disorder. Indications of "organic brain components" were also noted. The defendant's mental state at the time of the crime was a significant factor in the previous trial.

The defendant's ex-wife, the mother of the child, is a co-plaintiff and appeared composed during the trial. She will be questioned again as a witness at a later date in the trial, as she played a key role as a witness about the events surrounding the murder.

The defendant's obsession with his ex-wife's new partner was centered around the belief that they were involved with drugs. This belief may have played a role in the defendant's actions.

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has partially reversed the decision of the Regional Court of Bremen due to insufficient reasoning for reduced guilt. As a result, the defendant's statements and the expert's diagnosis from the first trial are under scrutiny again.

The defense attorney announced that the defendant will speak during the trial on September 17. The trial will continue on this date, with the defendant's testimony and further witness testimonies to be heard.

The mother of the child involved will be questioned again regarding the defendant's culpability in the case. Her previous testimony was crucial in the first trial.

The defendant was placed in a psychiatric clinic due to his mental illness. If the defendant is considered fully guilty, he could go to prison instead of a psychiatric clinic. The outcome of the trial will determine the defendant's future.