PressSplit
Bizarre scenes in court: a defendant lying on the floor. The father of the February 19 attacker had to be carried into the courtroom.
Hanau – Johannes Hock is an experienced lawyer. But he has probably never had such an assignment as a public defender. And neither is a client like the 77-year-old father of the attacker on February 19, 2020. The first day of the trial in Hanau two weeks ago was canceled because the defendant didn’t come. He ditched his lawyer.
The police arrest squad carries the defendant into the courtroom. © Thorsten Becker
Hanau: Defendant lies on the ground
This Thursday (September 26th, 2024) the court and the spectators will have a completely different perspective for hours: The 77-year-old, who can at least be described as a troublemaker, is lying behind the dock and this time he is leaving his public defender standing. He refuses any contact. He only gets up once in the afternoon because he has to go to the toilet. Then he lies down again.
The defendant is lying, public defender Johannes Hock is standing before the district court. © Throsten Becker
The criminal judge, district director Clementine Englert, even asked several times whether the pensioner was thirsty – no response. Whether he would like to say something about the allegations – no reaction.
Because in the morning, at 9.30 a.m. sharp, all the lawyers are present. Except the 77-year-old. The criminal judge apparently suspected this and took precautions. She looks at her smartphone. “The police are on the way and will inform me.” She is sure: “The Lord will come, even if not voluntarily.”
The accused is picked up at home by the police
She is right, because the First Police Chief Inspector Andreas G. and four of his colleagues have already demonstrated their “hands-on nature” after ringing and shouting at the defendant’s house was of no use. They open the apartment. “It’s like three years ago. We found him in bed, he was fully clothed,” says the police officer, reporting that the arrested man reported heart problems. So the ambulance and emergency doctor are ordered to the western part of the city, but they leave again because the man refuses treatment.
As a witness, the officer states that it is undoubtedly the defendant – he even refuses to provide any information about himself. Finally, the four officers carry him into hearing room 165 of the district court. The man tries to defend himself and resists the demonstration – but the martial-looking arrest squad doesn’t give him a chance – job professionally completed. The defendant gasps for air, lies on the floor and calls for his family doctor.
A doctor is in the person of Dr. Hildegard Müller already present. She is a recognized psychiatric expert. But she too is rejected by the man on the ground. “Is he fit to stand trial?” the judge wants to know. The expert is quite clear: “I think this is a set-up.”
Then it’s Attorney Hock’s turn again: He applies for an adjournment until the client’s ability to stand trial has been determined – the court rejects it. Because he obviously has a lot of faxes and the 77-year-old doesn’t talk to him at all – “how am I supposed to defend him?” – he applies for a release from his duties – the court rejects him.
Defense attorney wants to resign
And so the lawyers concentrate entirely on the actual allegations made by public prosecutor Martin Links, who lists nine charges: incitement to hatred, the written insult to Mayor Claus Kaminsky, false suspicion, coercion and many times the disregard of the ban on approaching people – he is allowed to enter a house Do not come closer than 30 meters to the relatives of a murder victim.
During a break, Attorney Hock is successful. He’s talking to his client. “I made it clear to him that his blocking attitude was of no use. I hope we can do it.” Given his two previous convictions, that would be necessary, as the pensioner has already been legally sentenced to fines totaling 9,000 euros. He didn’t pay. But the public prosecutor’s office has long since collected the money through foreclosure. The process continues. (Thorsten Becker)
