A remarkable turn of events unfolded on Friday as a court in Germany acquitted a man who had spent 13 long years behind bars for the alleged murder of an elderly woman in Germany. The court ruled that the death of the supposed victim was, in fact, an accident.
Manfred Genditzki, now 63 years old, was originally convicted of murder in 2010 by a Munich court and sentenced to life in prison in Germany. The judges concluded that he had assaulted an 87-year-old woman and drowned her in a bathtub following a dispute at her residence in the affluent Bavarian lakeside town of Rottach-Egern in October 2008.
Throughout the ordeal, Genditzki, who worked as a caretaker at the woman’s complex, steadfastly maintained his innocence. Despite unsuccessful appeals against the initial verdict, a federal court eventually ordered a retrial, resulting in another conviction in 2012.
Undeterred, Genditzki fought tirelessly for years to reopen the case, and in August of last year, he achieved a breakthrough, securing his release from prison.
Delivering the verdict at the Munich state court on Friday, Judge Elisabeth Ehrl announced the news that Genditzki had been waiting nearly 14 years to hear. She expressed that he would be compensated for the unjust time spent incarcerated, as reported by the German news agency dpa.
Judge Ehrl offered sincere apologies, acknowledging that mistakes had been made in the previous legal proceedings. She commented on the apparent one-sided handling of the case, stating that it seemed to have been to Genditzki’s detriment and emphasizing the accumulation of errors.
Praising Genditzki’s admirable patience and perseverance in seeking justice, the judge acknowledged the challenging journey he had endured. Genditzki received the verdict calmly.
The court determined that the woman’s death was likely the result of an accident. Based on expert testimonies presented during the retrial, it was deemed not only possible but probable. There were no indications of murder.
According to the judges, it was concluded that the woman had most likely fallen into the bathtub while attempting to wash laundry or soak her feet, becoming trapped and potentially losing consciousness before drowning.
Prosecutors had advocated for Genditzki’s acquittal earlier in the week. In his closing statement during the trial, Genditzki reiterated his innocence, simply stating, “I would like to say again that I am innocent. That’s all.”
As Genditzki emerged from the courtroom on Friday, he was met with applause. However, he expressed a lack of joy, remarking, “I have no reason to rejoice. Fourteen years are gone.”
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Under German law, individuals wrongfully imprisoned are entitled to compensation of 75 euros for each day spent in custody. In Genditzki’s case, this would amount to 368,400 euros (approximately $400,000). He may also potentially seek compensation for lost earnings.
