Magnus Gäfgen
Encyclopedia
Magnus Gäfgen is a German
child murder
er. In 2002, he was arrested for the murder of 11 year old Jakob von Metzler, the son a well-known Frankfurt banker (see Metzler Bank
). The following year, Gäfgen was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment
.
, as ordered by Frankfurt Police Vice President Wolfgang Daschner, he confessed and told where the body was hidden.
In his conviction for murder to life imprisonment in July 2003, the court established his grave level of guilt (besondere Schwere der Schuld). As a consequence, he is not eligible for early release after 15 years, as is otherwise usual for life prisoners. His appeal to the Federal Court of Justice
was rejected in May 2004. His complaint to the Federal Constitutional Court
was rejected in December 2004. In 2005, he delivered a complaint against Germany at the European Court of Human Rights
(partially won in 2010). Additionally, he sued the state of Hesse and demanded compensation for allegedly suffering trauma after being threatened with torture, however, he lost the case.
. He got his law degree while in prison, and published the autobiography Allein mit Gott – Der Weg zurück in 2005. His plans to establish a "Gäfgen Foundation" that should help children who had been victims of crime sparked controversy, and after authorities stated they would never allow such a foundation to be registered, he dropped the plans.
In August 2011 Markus Gäfgen has won 3.000€ in damages over the threat by the police that they would have him tortured. Gäfgen originally wanted 10.000€.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
child murder
Child murder
The murder of children is considered an abhorrent crime in much of the world; they are perceived within their communities and the state at large as being vulnerable, and therefore especially susceptible to abduction and murder. The protection of children from abuse and possible death often involves...
er. In 2002, he was arrested for the murder of 11 year old Jakob von Metzler, the son a well-known Frankfurt banker (see Metzler Bank
Metzler Bank
The B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. KGaA is a private banking company in Frankfurt, Germany. Metzler traces its origins to a trading company established 1674 by Benjamin Metzler in Frankfurt and is Germany’s oldest private bank still owned exclusively by the founding family.Metzler provides financial...
). The following year, Gäfgen was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
.
Biography
Gäfgen has a modest family background, but went on to study law at the Goethe University in 1996. On September 27, 2002, he kidnapped Jakob von Metzler in order to blackmail his parents, but killed him in his apartment. Gäfgen then demanded one million euro in ransom from the Metzler family. He was observed by the police when he picked up the ransom. After a few hours, during which he had booked a holiday and not released his victim, who was already dead, he was arrested. After being threatened with tortureTorture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
, as ordered by Frankfurt Police Vice President Wolfgang Daschner, he confessed and told where the body was hidden.
In his conviction for murder to life imprisonment in July 2003, the court established his grave level of guilt (besondere Schwere der Schuld). As a consequence, he is not eligible for early release after 15 years, as is otherwise usual for life prisoners. His appeal to the Federal Court of Justice
Federal Court of Justice of Germany
The Federal Court of Justice of Germany in Karlsruhe is the highest court in the system of ordinary jurisdiction in Germany. It is the supreme court in all matters of criminal and private law...
was rejected in May 2004. His complaint to the Federal Constitutional Court
Federal Constitutional Court of Germany
The Federal Constitutional Court is a special court established by the Grundgesetz, the German basic law...
was rejected in December 2004. In 2005, he delivered a complaint against Germany at the European Court of Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
(partially won in 2010). Additionally, he sued the state of Hesse and demanded compensation for allegedly suffering trauma after being threatened with torture, however, he lost the case.
Life in Prison
Magnus Gäfgen is serving his life sentence in Schwalmstadt Prison in the state of HesseHesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
. He got his law degree while in prison, and published the autobiography Allein mit Gott – Der Weg zurück in 2005. His plans to establish a "Gäfgen Foundation" that should help children who had been victims of crime sparked controversy, and after authorities stated they would never allow such a foundation to be registered, he dropped the plans.
In August 2011 Markus Gäfgen has won 3.000€ in damages over the threat by the police that they would have him tortured. Gäfgen originally wanted 10.000€.
Literature
- Adrienne Lochte: Sie werden dich nicht finden. Der Fall Jakob von Metzler. Droemer/Knaur 2004, ISBN 3426273454