Lüneburg, Germany – Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms – eleven and twelve years respectively – after being convicted of attempted murder for throwing concrete slabs and even a tree trunk onto highways in Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria. The verdict was delivered by the Lüneburg court.
The motivation behind the dangerous acts, carried out by Janus A., 23, from Itzehoe, and Markus B., 32, from Einhausen, stemmed from their professions as paramedics and a desire to position themselves as rescuers. During one incident they instigated, Janus A. even falsely presented himself as an emergency physician.
The court found sufficient evidence to prove the element of treachery in the commission of the crimes, and the sentencing exceeded the prosecution’s initial request.
Damaged Vehicles and Dangerous Actions
The charges against Janus A. and Markus B. included eleven counts of attempted murder and dangerous interference with road traffic. Fortunately, no one was killed, but the attacks resulted in damage to 22 vehicles, some severely.
One particularly dangerous incident on the A1 highway (Hamburg–Bremen) involved eight cars colliding with debris from a construction barrier that had been thrown from a bridge.
During the trial, Janus A. expressed remorse, stating, “I will take responsibility, I am deeply ashamed. We got carried away.” He explained that both he and Markus B. were motivated by a desire to be helpful during accidents, and that he “felt valuable” in those moments.
Markus B. initially denied involvement, but a dashcam recording captured a conversation between the two men discussing their enjoyment of throwing stones.
The defense attorneys have announced their intention to appeal the verdict, seeking reduced sentences of no more than eight years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges were the men convicted of?
The men were convicted of attempted murder and dangerous interference with road traffic in eleven cases.
Did anyone die as a result of these attacks?
Fortunately, no fatalities occurred, though 22 vehicles were damaged in the attacks.
What motivated the men to commit these crimes?
The men, both paramedics, were motivated by a desire to position themselves as rescuers and feel valuable by responding to the accidents they caused.
Given the defense’s planned appeal, what further steps might occur in this case?
