Prosecution in the case argued for a twenty year prison sentence, since the attempted murder had been planned in advance.
The medical report noted excessive force that put the woman's life in danger, who would not have survived the attack without surgical intervention. The attacker had already been in an altercation with the victim's mother a month prior to the incident. After being reported to the police he then tried to reason with the mother, only to run into her daughter that same day. Since she did not consider altering her statement with the police, he subsequently decided to follow her and attack her with a hammer, delivering several blows. The woman could only be released from hospital in December.
The victim's attorney demanded a compensation payment of almost 450,000 euro. The defendant's attorney argued that the incident had not been planned in advance, arguing that the defendant decided on the spot what to do without wanting to kill the woman. She moreover emphasised that her client had acted under the influence of illegal substances, rendering him unable to make clear decisions on the day in question. The defendant finally addressed the victim's family directly and apologised for his actions.
The verdict will be announced on 31 July.
