Man jailed for 16 years after shooting in Rickenbach TG
Published: Tuesday, Dec 12th 2023, 19:30
العودة إلى البث المباشر
A 35-year-old waiter shot two guests several times with a pistol outside a bar in Rickenbach TG in May 2021. On Tuesday, he had to answer to the Münchwilen TG district court for multiple attempted murders. The statements about the course of events differ.
According to the indictment, the bar employee shot his victims at close range outside the bar. When the two men fled, he followed them and continued to pull the trigger.
The victims survived despite gunshot wounds. One of the men was in a life-threatening condition. In court, both declared that they still have health problems today.
The prosecution is demanding a prison sentence of 16 years and a 15-year ban from the country. In addition, the shooter is to be ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings. The accused is serving an early sentence.
Different descriptions
In court, the defendant apologized to the victims and the court. The altercation had been preceded by discussions about the coronavirus measures in force in the bar at the time, such as the obligation to wear masks and the restrictions on people.
In order to resolve the differences, he and the two guests went outside the restaurant that evening for a discussion. He was attacked by them.
In one of the bar's warehouses, he had picked up a gun left there by an acquaintance and fired aimlessly during a fight to scare off his opponents. He had not wanted to hurt anyone and had acted out of fear and stress.
The two victims described the crime differently. They had gone outside to talk. Suddenly, the accused pulled out a gun, pointed it at them and shot.
Forensic evaluation
The victims' accounts were credible, said the public prosecutor. Traces, injuries and forensic gunshot analysis matched the victims' statements. Both were first shot in the thigh from the front. When they fled, one of the victims was shot twice in the back.
"At least seven shots were fired," said the public prosecutor. "The accused pulled the trigger deliberately and aimed at the victims." It was only thanks to great luck that the two men survived the shots. The perpetrator's statement that he had been attacked and had acted in self-defense was a protective claim. Rather, he had acted particularly unscrupulously because his pride and honor had been wounded after discussions in the bar.
According to the public prosecutor, there is a clear case for multiple attempted murder. After the shooting, the man fled abroad. He was arrested seven months later in Hungary and later transferred to Switzerland.
The legal representatives of the injured parties demanded compensation in court totaling around 19,000 francs and satisfaction of 85,000 francs.
Lawyer holds victim jointly responsible
The defendant's lawyer accused the victims of having deliberately made various false statements. He questioned the statements made by the public prosecutor. The shots were neither planned nor deliberately fired. They should be seen as warning shots during an argument. "There was never any intention to kill anyone."
The victims were partly responsible for the escalation due to provocation. The lawyer argued in favor of a conviction for assault and demanded a maximum of 43 months in prison and a maximum 7-year ban from the country.
If the court comes to the conclusion that it is a case of attempted murder, his client should be sentenced to a maximum of 55 months' imprisonment. The lawyer also demanded a significant reduction in the compensation claims to a maximum of CHF 15,000.
Court rejects applications
At the beginning of the trial, the defense lawyer asserted procedural deficiencies. For example, he demanded an on-site reconstruction of the crime and a prison management report.
The public prosecutor recommended that the court reject the claims as they were not relevant and the case files were complete. The panel of judges ultimately rejected the defense attorney's motion.
The court president announced the verdict in writing.
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