DNTCCC Crime News: Neuschwanstein Castle: US man admits rape and murder of woman he pushed down ravine near famous German landmark

 

Neuschwanstein Castle: US man admits rape and murder of woman he pushed down ravine near famous German landmark

The unnamed man met two Americans near the castle and raped and strangled one, pushing her down a ravine to her death. He also forced the other woman over the edge, but she survived.

Russell Hope, Sky News, Monday 19 February 2024

https://news.sky.com/story/neuschwanstein-castle-us-man-admits-rape-and-murder-of-woman-he-pushed-down-ravine-near-famous-german-landmark-13075580

                              The man is led into court in Kempten on Monday. Pic: AP

A US man has admitted to murdering an American woman he also raped, by pushing her down a ravine near a famous German castle last year.

The 31-year-old admitted to charges of murder and rape with fatal consequences at the start of his trial at Kempten District Court in southern Germany on Monday.

                The defendant obscured his face as he entered court. Pic: AP

Defence lawyer Philip Mueller said in a statement that his client, who covered his face with a file as he entered court, had "committed an unfathomable crime".

In Germany, defendants do not formally enter pleas to charges, but the man confirmed what his lawyer said and did not answer any questions.

The defendant met two American women, aged 21 and 22, while walking near Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany's best-known attractions, in June, prosecutors said.

The trio were close to the Marienbruecke, a bridge over a gorge that offers views of the nearby castle.

             Marienbruecke bridge over the Poellat Gorge in Bavaria (Alamy/PA)

After luring them away from the trail, the man attacked the younger woman, forcing her to the ground and trying to undress her.

               Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, southern Germany. Pic: AP
When the other woman attempted to intervene, a scuffle ensued, and the suspect allegedly pushed her down a steep slope.

She fell about 165 feet (50 metres) but, despite sustaining injuries to her head and multiple bruises and grazes, she survived.

The suspect is alleged to have then strangled the younger woman until she was unconscious and raped her. Prosecutors said he then pushed her down the ravine to her death.

A laptop and mobile phones belonging to the suspect, who was arrested shortly after the attack, were recovered containing child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors.

Murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in Germany.

A verdict is expected to be announced in mid-March at the earliest

American man admits rape and murder of US tourist near German castle

The 31-year-old American man accused of murder stands in the dock behind his lawyers in a courtroom at the district court in Kempten, southern Germany (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)

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