Brutal friend murder in Weissach: 12 years in prison for sadists!

Brutal friend murder in Weissach: 12 years in prison for sadists!

At the Stuttgart regional court, a 24-year-old was sentenced to twelve years in prison for manslaughter. The brutal act occurred in January 2025 in Weissach im Tal when the defendant killed his friend with a pull-up bar, resulting in internal injuries to the victim. The court viewed the crime as manslaughter and therefore ruled against the public prosecutor's demand, which wanted eleven years in prison. The defense, however, pleaded for a sentence for bodily harm resulting in death and only asked for six and a half years.

The long road to action is marked by a deep friendship that developed in their childhood. Both men, who knew each other from childhood and met again during training at the Waiblingen vocational training center, experienced a relationship that was characterized by humiliation and power games. The defendant took advantage of his intellectual superiority and humiliated his friend through various cruel acts. This included firing at him with an airsoft gun and filming the victim in compromising situations, such as in torn underwear.

Background of the act

The incident that ultimately led to the fatal argument took place on January 4, 2025. During an argument, the defendant beat his victim with a pull-up bar and a baseball bat while filming the entire situation. He only alerted the emergency call at 7:22 p.m. after the victim was seriously injured on the ground. By the time the paramedics arrived, it was already too late. During the proceedings, the presiding judge determined that the defendant wanted to restore the power structure between himself and his friend and accepted the possible death of his friend in doing so.

The defendant consumed cannabis before the crime, but this was not seen as an excuse for his actions. The case sheds disturbing light on the dynamics between violent friends and the patterns of violence in interpersonal relationships that can be observed again and again in Germany. According to Statista, about 217,000 violent crimes were recorded in 2024, the highest number since 2007. This type of crime accounts for less than 4% of all crimes recorded by the police, but it has a strong impact on the population's sense of security.

Social impact

The increase in violent crime and its serious impact on society is alarming. The proportion of young violent perpetrators has increased: around a third of suspects are under 21 years old. The ongoing psychological stress caused by the Corona measures and economic uncertainties could play a role in the increase in violent crime. Violence against emergency workers has also increased in recent years, further adding to the complexity of the problem. A survey from May 2024 shows that 94% of Germans consider violence and aggression against members of the public and emergency services to be a major problem.

Overall, it is to be hoped that tragic incidents like the one between the two friends will lead to increased attention to the social framework and the prevention of violence.