Trial against "Mask Man" from Bremen: Verdict expected in Nantes

Precedent: Conviction in Germany

French investigators became aware of Martin N. because the modus operandi showed parallels to cases in Northern Germany. There, the accused had murdered three boys aged 8, 9, and 13 between 1992 and 2001 and sexually abused dozens more. For these crimes, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with subsequent preventive detention by the Stade Regional Court in 2012.

Crucial tip from prison: A fellow inmate reported in 2017 that Martin N. had confessed to him in conversations that he had also killed a child in France. This tip, along with further investigations, eventually led to the indictment in France. Martin N. was temporarily transferred to a French prison for interrogations.

Evidence and Witness Testimonies

However, according to information from the proceedings, there is no concrete forensic evidence, such as DNA traces, that would directly link Martin N. to Jonathan's death. The prosecution's case relies, among other things, on witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence. For example, a witness testified that she had observed a car with German license plates near the pond on the evening of the incident, from which something was apparently being unloaded before it drove away again.

Both the witness and the former fellow inmate testified in court, the latter via video link. In addition, French and German investigators as well as psychiatric experts were heard. The accused, who had led a double life in Germany for years – a teacher and caregiver in holiday camps and children's homes by day, a burglar and sex offender by night – wore black clothing and a balaclava during his crimes, which earned him the nickname "Mask Man."

Outlook: Verdict on Thursday Evening

According to court information, Thursday's proceedings will first include the closing arguments before the verdict is to be announced in the evening. Jonathan disappeared in 2004 during a school camp in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. His death caused a great sensation in France and occupied investigators for years.

France has been investigating Martin N. in this case since 2008. The trial in Nantes only began after the fellow inmate reported the alleged confession in 2017. Despite the lack of DNA evidence, the French authorities apparently see sufficient grounds for the trial. Observers expected a swift conclusion to the proceedings on the same day of the trial.