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People in Pragsdorf laid flowers and stuffed animals for the killed boy

Photo: BildFunkMV / IMAGO

Six-year-old Joel was discovered in a bush in Pragsdorf in September with serious stab wounds and later died. Now the alleged perpetrator, a teenager, has been released from custody after four and a half months. After checking the arrest warrant, there was no longer any reason for arrest, said a spokesman for the Neubrandenburg regional court. "The reason for detention was the risk of repetition." The "Ostsee-Zeitung" had previously reported. The teenager is said to have beaten and stabbed Joel. The crime took place in the community of Pragsdorf near Neubrandenburg.

The trial against the teenager began on Tuesday. According to the spokesman, the court is obliged at all times during the proceedings to examine whether there are grounds for pre-trial detention. These were no longer identified after witnesses were questioned on Thursday. Pre-trial detention requires that there is a special reason for detention. The decision has nothing to do with the question of guilt. The public prosecutor could appeal against the decision.

On Thursday, several witnesses testified on the second day of the trial, the court said. Since the defendant is a teenager - he was 14 years old at the time of the crime - the trial was held behind closed doors. The teenager faces a prison sentence of up to ten years. According to information from the dpa news agency, he was silent at the start of the trial. In connection with the case, the public prosecutor's office is also investigating the defendant's 17-year-old brother.

The case surrounding Joel's murder caused a nationwide stir. His parents reported him missing after he didn't come home from a soccer field as planned. After the boy was found with stab wounds in a bush, rescue workers tried to revive the boy. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The next day of the trial is scheduled to take place on February 27th. After that, four more dates are planned until the end of March. Then there could also be a verdict.

kha/dpa/AFP