Drug death in Eckernförde: Public prosecutor's office appeals!

Drug death in Eckernförde: Public prosecutor's office appeals!

The dramatic developments surrounding the drug-related death of a 17-year-old from Eckernförde are about to take a turn! The Kiel regional court sentenced the main defendant, a dealer close to the young person, to a prison sentence of three years and six months. But the public prosecutor's office is now attacking and has filed an appeal - the verdict could soon be put to the test!

Senior public prosecutor Michael Bimler expressed himself clearly: “We do not agree with the level of punishment and consider the verdict to be legally incorrect.” The public prosecutor's office had originally demanded five years' imprisonment, but the chamber considered the dealer's ability to control the situation to be significantly reduced. This means he was held less responsible for his actions. However, an expert questioned whether the reduced culpability was really justified.

The next steps in the process

It remains to be seen whether the case will actually be reopened. First, the oral verdict must be recorded in writing and delivered to the public prosecutor. They then have four weeks to justify their appeal or to withdraw it after reviewing the written reasons. The defense will also be involved in the process before the matter ends up in the Federal Court.

If the appeal is successful, the verdict could be overturned and a new main hearing would take place. In the worst case scenario, everything could start all over again! The dealer, who has a previous criminal record, is accused of illegally selling drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Supplying hard drugs to minors has resulted in the most severe single sentence of two and a half years. The 17-year-old's death in September 2023 is tragic - but the dealers' guilt cannot be directly proven. An exciting chapter in the fight against drug crime that is far from over!