How can it be that Guenter Parche got zero jail time for stabbing Monica Seles?
http://espn.go.com/tennis/news/2003/0430/1546978.html
That article mentions that he was in custody for six months, but then got a suspended sentence and was freed.
Isn’t attempted murder a life sentence in Germany?
IIRC he wasn’t charged with attempted murder, but assault with a deadly/dangerous weapon.
I believe he claimed insanity, as well.
There was a huge media debate in Hamburg at the time of the trial. If I recollect correctly the court said that
a) Parches responsibility was hugely diminished due to his delusional state
b) that state had since been successfully treated so he wasn’t a danger to anyone anymore
The sentence certainly didn’t imply that the assault wasn’t a serious crime.
I have nothing to add (as usual). I just wanted to say that as I scanned the board, I thought this thread was titled “Ask the guy who stabbed Monica Seles.”
He spent time in an asylum because he was found to be mentally ill. If that was correct or fair, I can’t say. She sure doesn’t think so.