In Germany, two teenage girls were arrested for the murder of their peer, 12-year-old Luise. Because the girls are under the age of 14, they cannot be held criminally responsible for their actions.
On Saturday, 12-year-old Luise from Freudenberg, a village about 80 kilometers east of Cologne, was last seen. She had visited a friend and left about 5:30 pm. Luise – her last name is unknown – never came home. Her parents alerted the police that evening. The girl’s lifeless body was found on Sunday along a bicycle path in a bush. Not on the route home, but according to tabloid Bild in the opposite direction about 2 kilometers from her friend’s home.
The circumstances of the death were still unclear at the time, but a murder investigation was launched. On Monday, an autopsy showed that Luise had bled to death from numerous stab wounds. Two suspects were arrested on Tuesday: two teenage girls aged 12 and 13 from Luise’s circle of acquaintances. An initial interrogation revealed contradictory statements. During a second interrogation with psychologists and their parents present, they admitted the crime.
prosecution
© Roberto Pfeil/dpa
Freudenberg is in a state of shock. The flags hang at half-mast. Relatives, students, parents and teachers mourn the death of the girl. The school website has been taken offline. “We mourn Luise. She was violently torn from us and from her family far too early.”
At a press conference, the public prosecutor could only confirm that the crime was probably committed by two children. It does not appear that anyone else was involved and there are no indications of a sexual offense. “This is a special case. Therefore, and for privacy reasons and to protect the youth, we will only provide limited information.” The murder weapon is still missing and the prosecutor could not say much about a possible motive. According to German media, a banal quarrel is the basis of the murder.
Revenge
The German newspaper Focus writes on Wednesday that the three teenagers had an argument in which the victim laughed at one of the other two girls. According to the German newspaper, the question is now being asked whether it all happened in a fit of anger or not. The track of revenge is also a possibility, according to Focus.
Both suspects are under the age of 14 and can therefore not be held responsible for their actions. “That does not mean that nothing will be done now,” the prosecutor emphasized. “We are putting this matter in the hands of the youth authorities.” They may proceed to a form of youth care or youth probation, depending on the seriousness of the crime committed and the individual circumstances of the case.
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