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Former Nurse in Germany Gets Life in Prison for 85 Murders Former Nurse in Germany Is Given Life in Prison for 85 Murders
(32 minutes later)
OLDENBURG, Germany — A former nurse who confessed to killing more than four dozen patients was found guilty on Thursday in Germany of murdering 85 people and sentenced to life in prison, with the judge calling his crimes “incomprehensible.” OLDENBURG, Germany — A former nurse who confessed to killing more than four dozen patients was found guilty on Thursday in Germany of murdering 85 people and was sentenced to life in prison, with the judge calling his crimes “incomprehensible.”
It was the third conviction for the nurse, Niels Högel, who is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in peacetime Germany, and perhaps the world. But for the families of the 100 victims who died in his care, the trial had aimed to serve as a form of belated justice by trying to find answers to why they had died. It was the third conviction for the nurse, Niels Högel, who is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in peacetime Germany, and perhaps the world. But for the families of the 100 people he was accused of killing while in his care, the trial had aimed to serve as a form of belated justice by trying to find answers to why they had died.
The judge, Sebastian Bührmann, said of his findings, “Despite all of our attempts, we could only lift part of the fog.”The judge, Sebastian Bührmann, said of his findings, “Despite all of our attempts, we could only lift part of the fog.”
In court, Mr. Högel sat with his head in his hand. The judge directly addressed him, repeatedly telling him that the scope of his crime was “incomprehensible.”In court, Mr. Högel sat with his head in his hand. The judge directly addressed him, repeatedly telling him that the scope of his crime was “incomprehensible.”
Under German law, a defendant convicted of such crimes can be sentenced only to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years.Under German law, a defendant convicted of such crimes can be sentenced only to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
Officials suspect Mr. Högel may have killed as many as 300 patients while working at two clinics in northern Germany between 2000 and 2005. It took years before he was brought to trial and for the full extent of his killings to be known.Officials suspect Mr. Högel may have killed as many as 300 patients while working at two clinics in northern Germany between 2000 and 2005. It took years before he was brought to trial and for the full extent of his killings to be known.
Mr. Högel would resuscitate his patients after injecting them with a deadly doses of medication, triggering a heart attack. Mr. Högel would resuscitate his patients after injecting them with deadly doses of medication, triggering a heart attack.
Prosecutors had sought to charge him with 97 murders, but the defense argued that only 55 cases had been proved beyond a doubt. The defense argued that Mr. Högel should be found guilty of attempted murder in 14 cases and acquitted of an additional 31. Prosecutors had sought to charge him with 97 murders, but the defense argued that only 55 cases had been proved beyond a doubt. The defense said that Mr. Högel should be found guilty of attempted murder in 14 cases and acquitted of an additional 31.
[Related: What prevented colleagues from stopping one of the world’s deadliest serial killers?]
After closing arguments on Wednesday, Mr. Högel read a prepared apology to the packed courtroom. “I would like to sincerely apologize for what I have done to each and every one of you,” he said.After closing arguments on Wednesday, Mr. Högel read a prepared apology to the packed courtroom. “I would like to sincerely apologize for what I have done to each and every one of you,” he said.
For family members, his attempt at an apology fell flat. “He’s a liar through and through,” said Christian Marbach, whose grandfather was found to be a victim of Mr. Högel in a previous trial and had followed the recent proceedings.For family members, his attempt at an apology fell flat. “He’s a liar through and through,” said Christian Marbach, whose grandfather was found to be a victim of Mr. Högel in a previous trial and had followed the recent proceedings.
More important, Mr. Marbach said, is that other criminal investigations against the doctors and head nurses from the clinics where Mr. Högel worked and was allowed to kill would now be allowed to proceed.More important, Mr. Marbach said, is that other criminal investigations against the doctors and head nurses from the clinics where Mr. Högel worked and was allowed to kill would now be allowed to proceed.
“The wall of silence has been broken,” Mr. Marbach said. “Now it is very important that those who were in positions of power be brought to justice.”“The wall of silence has been broken,” Mr. Marbach said. “Now it is very important that those who were in positions of power be brought to justice.”