Munich – An American man will go on trial in Germany on Monday for the rape and murder of a fellow US tourist near Bavaria’s famed Neuschwanstein castle.
Troy Philipp B. is also charged with attempted murder of the victim’s friend, also an American citizen.
The two women, then 21 and 22 years old, had been hiking in the area in June last year when they met B., who offered to take them to a viewpoint, investigators said.
At a secluded spot, the man, then 30, allegedly pushed the 21-year-old woman to the ground and proceeded to rape and strangle her.
Her friend intervened, leading to a scuffle in which the accused allegedly pushed the 22-year-old off a slope.
The accused then strangled the 21-year-old woman, and pushed her down the same slope while she was unconscious.
When mountain rescue workers found the two women, the 22-year-old was injured but able to talk.
The rape victim was seriously injured and taken by helicopter to hospital, where she died later that night as a result of her injuries.
Germany’s top-selling daily Bild reported that the accused had filmed part of his assault.
The rescue operation and his subsequent arrest took place in front of hundreds of tourists, Bild added.
Built in the 19th century by King Lugwig II, Neuschwanstein castle is one of the most visited sites in Germany, attracting over a million visitors a year.
B. faces up to life in prison if convicted.
He will also have to answer to the court for possession of child pornography, which investigators uncovered subsequently.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Unsplash
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