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Courtroom of the Mannheim Regional Court: Trial against two police officers after a fatal operation

Photo: Bernd Weißbrod / dpa

The Mannheim Regional Court is convinced that the fatal police operation in Mannheim in May 2022 was essentially justified.

The chamber acquitted an accused police officer and sentenced his colleague to a fine totaling 6,000 euros (120 daily rates of 50 euros) for bodily harm in office.

It was about the death of a 47-year-old who left a psychiatric hospital in Mannheim against the advice of the treating doctor.

The doctor followed him, but couldn't get him to turn back.

The psychiatrist then called the police because he considered the patient, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, to be in acute danger to himself.

The presiding judge said that the man would not have died without the violent use of force by the two officers at the Mannheim market square.

Due to the circumstances, both police officers were not only entitled but also obliged to take the 47-year-old back to the psychiatric facility against his will.

They were also right to defend themselves against attacks from the man.

The man later died in hospital.

Fine for assault in office

The cause of death was disputed during the trial.

According to the public prosecutor's report, the man suffocated as a result of a bloody nose; according to the defense report, he died of heart failure due to a serious previous illness.

After the police operation, there were protests and demonstrations of solidarity with the deceased in Mannheim.

The 27-year-old police superintendent has to pay the fine because he hit the man lying on the ground four more times with his fist.

The officer was charged with bodily harm in office resulting in death, the police chief of the same age was charged with negligent homicide by omission.

The public prosecutor's office pleaded leniently, particularly with reference to the forensic medical reports.

She demanded a six-month suspended prison sentence for the police chief and an acquittal for the co-defendant.

The defense had requested acquittals.

With the verdict, both police officers can remain on duty.

aeh/AFP/dpa