Verdict nears in civil trial over 12-year-old Luise's brutal killing in Germany
Court in Koblenz to Rule on Civil Case Over Murder of 12-Year-Old Luise from Freudenberg
The Koblenz Regional Court is set to deliver its verdict soon in the civil case surrounding the killing of 12-year-old Luise from Freudenberg. According to the court, the ruling will be announced on Thursday, May 28.
The parents and sister of the girl, who was murdered in 2023, are suing two girls of roughly the same age. At the start of the proceedings in July 2025, the defendants admitted to the crime. Their testimony was given in a closed session, excluding the public.
A judge stated that Luise was stabbed 74 times and also suffered facial injuries. She reportedly died from blood loss and a condition known as pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Her body was discovered a day after the attack in a wooded area near the border between North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, several kilometers from her home.
Dispute Over Compensation Amount
Since the two perpetrators were 12 and 13 years old at the time of the crime—and thus not criminally liable—no criminal trial has taken place. The civil case now centers on the question of potential compensation for pain and suffering. The family is seeking €50,000 for Luise, as well as €30,000 each for the other claimants.
A key issue in the proceedings is how long and how intensely the victim suffered, as this will influence the compensation amount. While the plaintiffs argue that Luise remained conscious for some time, the defendants dispute the claim of a prolonged struggle and consider the demands excessive.
According to the family's lawyer, the civil case is also meant to send a message: even without criminal prosecution, such an act must have legal consequences.
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