In the murder trial of eight-year-old Fabian, the defendant takes the floor

According to the defense, Gina H. will not make a confession. It therefore remains open to what extent the defendant will contribute to clarifying the circumstances. The defense lawyers had repeatedly pointed out that their client would exercise her right to comment on the charges as soon as she deemed it appropriate.

Defense rules out confession

In the proceedings, Fabians father and his sister had previously testified, among others. Fabians mother was also heard as a witness. The statements of the family members are considered central building blocks in the prosecution's evidence-taking.

The trial is being conducted at the Regional Court of Rostock under the presiding judge Thomas Löcker. The hearing on Monday marked the 22nd day of proceedings in the case and is thus one of the later dates in the ongoing evidence-taking.

Observers regard the fact that the defendant is now speaking after four months of silence as a possible turning point in the trial. Whether she will make statements on the substance of the case or merely provide explanations regarding her person was not definitively known initially.

The court had heard numerous witnesses and experts in the preceding sessions. In addition to the family members, investigators and medical experts were also heard. According to the assessment of participants in the proceedings, the evidence-taking is drawing to a close.

Status of the proceedings

With the defendant's testimony, a new phase of the proceedings begins. According to information from the court, further witnesses are to be heard in the coming sessions and any closing arguments prepared. A verdict is expected at the earliest in the coming weeks.

The joint plaintiffs, who represent the family of the killed Fabian, had also previously commented in earlier sessions. The family's lawyers emphasized the particular severity of the crime and pointed to the burden on the surviving relatives.

If the defendant continues to make no statements regarding the charge, the existing evidentiary situation would remain. The panel would then have to decide on the basis of the witness testimony, expert reports, and evidence already gathered.

Response in the region

On the sidelines of the hearing day, trial observers from Güstrow expressed themselves cautiously. The region is following the trial with great interest, it was said. Many residents still remembered the case and the loss of the child.

The defense had repeatedly applied in the past for individual items of evidence not to be admitted to the main hearing. According to information from the proceedings, the panel largely rejected these applications but allowed individual supplementary items.