After serving more than 13 years in jail for the alleged crime, the suspect in Germany’s infamous “bathtub murder” was found not guilty at a second trial.
Manfred Genditzki, who was convicted of allegedly drowning an elderly woman in the bathtub of a Bavarian apartment complex where he worked as the caretaker, fought for a retrial for years.
On Friday, Genditzki was warned by the presiding judge, Elisabeth Ehrl, that “now is the time. After nearly 14 years, you finally heard the legal opinion.
According to her, the government is required to make up for the erroneously imposed prison sentence on him.
The judge determined that the elderly woman, whose suspected murderer Genditzki was formerly given a life sentence for, most likely passed away in an accident and wasn’t the victim of any crime at all.
A crime was unlikely, according to the testimony of experts. In his testimony, one expert said that while homicide was “theoretically possible,” there was “no actual evidence” to support it.
On the day of Genditzki’s retrial, the prosecution had pleaded with the court to exonerate him.
Although there were tears in the full courtroom, Genditzki, 63, responded calmly to the verdict. His innocence in the matter has been unwaveringly defended.
Genditzki is now entitled to money as a result of his acquittal, which some people believe is far too little. A total of €368,400 ($401,000) or €75 will be awarded to him for each day he was imprisoned.
He might sue for money damages, such as lost wages while he was imprisoned, in addition to compensatory damages. (NAN)
