Leipzig car-attack trial opens as Jeffrey K. remains silent
The trial of 34-year-old Jeffrey K. opened at Leipzig Regional Court on 2 November. Court reporter Lucas Böhme of Leipziger Zeitung reported that, on his lawyer’s advice, the defendant initially made no statement about the charges of two murders and 85 attempted murders.
According to the indictment, the defendant drove from Augustusplatz into Grimmaische Straße and tried to kill pedestrians. Prosecutors also charged him with dangerous interference with road traffic in 91 cases and dangerous bodily harm in eight cases. The people killed were a 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man. Prosecutors announced the indictment on 28 August.
MDR reported on 30 October, citing a court spokesman, that hearings were scheduled until 7 July 2027. The court intends to hear experts in psychiatry, traffic analysis and forensic medicine.
The defendant was initially held in a psychiatric hospital and is now in pre-trial detention. Prosecutors said the expert’s preliminary report found no indications of a lack of criminal responsibility or diminished responsibility. His criminal responsibility is among the issues to be examined at trial.
According to the report, defence lawyer Malte Heise disputed the prosecution’s account of a revenge motive at the opening. He argued that his client had acted out of emotional overload, helplessness and desperation, and challenged the legal sustainability of 85 attempted-murder charges. Leipziger Zeitung reported that the next hearing was scheduled for 23 November.
