Posted on 01/28/2002 2:24:34 PM PST by Sabertooth
Two self-styled Satanists on trial for a ritual killing should not be jailed for life as the victim's family wants, prosecutors have argued.
Daniel Ruda, 26, and his wife Manuela, 23, are accused of brutally murdering a former colleague last July.
The "not monstrous" couple in happier times.The 33-year-old victim was stabbed and beaten with a hammer in their apartment near the German town of Bochum.
Victim Frank Haagen.The couple were arrested in Jena five days after police launched a nationwide search. They have given a detailed confession to the killing, claiming that they acted "on the orders of Satan".
Presenting closing arguments, prosecutor Dieter Justinsky said the pair should be given sentences of 14 and 12 years respectively.
He rejected calls from the victim's parents for a life sentence, arguing that the pair showed diminished responsibility.
The couple are "not the monsters" portrayed in lurid reports in German media, but "deeply disturbed characters," he told the jury in the Bochum court.
"Alleged" satanic murderer, Manuela Ruda.The couple must be sent, at least initially, to a secure psychiatric facility, Justinsky said. The defendants have appeared in court dressed in black, striking poses for photographers and the packed public gallery.
German newspapers have provided exhaustive coverage of the proceedings and of the couple's accounts of occult rituals as well as the visions in which they were told to carry out the killing. The jury is to deliver its verdict on Thursday.
After reading this account, perhaps they should define what it would take to qualify as "monsters". Just for a comparison.
Judge: "How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?"
Defendants: "Diminished responsibility due to our being deeply disturbed characters who have long green fingernails and are wearing satanic leather outfits."
I wonder how well Satan would defend this dude if a couple of crusty old German Lutherans were to discuss fine theological points with him out behind a dumpster?
You think this looks like a monster?
You should see the one I had out last night.
Hmmm, now tell me what the defense attorney said.
Beam me up.
Former prosecutors: Johnnie Cochran and James Brosnahan.
These people need Johnny Cochran to represent them, and to have the ACLU back them. The ACLU lately is in favor of supporting Satanists after all. I guess whoever you pray to, if the voices you hear back tell you to hurt people, that's when you quit praying to that particular deity. You would think that Politicians in this country would be telling the people they supposedly represent that Satan made me increase your taxes. Better yet, I am only the vehicle for Satan's tax increase, and I'm driving him to the bank.
The main reason why Satan is not proud of these people, is simple. Satan wants his people to flourish and create even more evil, and most importantly not get caught. Satan should have a stricter dress code, and maybe a 401K and dental plan. Not to mention maybe a company car, and a generous salary. I think he'd attract more people, and have less turnover in the workplace. What worries me the most, is all of those dotcom people who are out of work right now. As they say, Idle Hands Are The Devil's Workshop.
So, has anyone seen any UFO's or ghosts lately? How bout that Mothman thing???
This is why I hate the Goth people so much. Posers, all of them. The only difference between Sid and Nancy here, and your typical goth, is that these people listened to the drug inspired voices in their heads, as opposed to just feeling bad for themselves, and the general depression and stuff.
I think that if these people aren't sorry for what they did, and feel blameless and this defense they've got holds up in court, Man... There will be horrible repercussions world wide. The Devil Made Me Do It, won't just be a clever saying, it will be the replacement for the insanity defense.
Screw life in prison. Give them a one way ticket to hell and they can take their orders live (well, more like dead) and in color!
Down to the basement with "Citizen X", gunshot to the head, next case on the docket, please.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.