On 3 November 2026, the trial began at Stendal Regional Court of a 43-year-old man from Dannigkow in the county of Jerichower Land. The accused faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm and violating firearms laws; the Public Prosecutor’s Office attributes the act to a booby trap .
The main hearing opened on Tuesday.\n\nAccording to the official and media reports available so far, the victim was seriously injured on 5 May 2026 when, according to police, she entered someone else’s property to look for her dog. Emergency responders subsequently took the woman to hospital; she sustained serious injuries to her head and face from shotgun pellets and required intensive care.
Investigators seized weapons and ammunition at the scene, as well as the device; several media outlets report that the 43-year-old was already known to police.\n\nAccording to expert opinion and current firearms law, booby traps are prohibited in Germany because they operate autonomously and therefore cannot distinguish between people who are authorised to be there and those who are not. In recent months, the public prosecutor’s office and police in the Jerichower Land district have been investigating the matter on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and violations of the Weapons Act; an arrest warrant was executed in May 2026.\n\nThe proceedings in Stendal will now focus on establishing the precise circumstances of the incident, who was responsible for the device and whether there was any criminal intent. The defence and prosecution will present evidence, expert reports and witness testimony; at the opening of the trial, the court said that it planned to hear evidence and question witnesses.
The prosecution’s specific sentencing demands were not detailed publicly on the first day of the trial.\n\nThe case has attracted attention beyond the region because it highlights the legal and practical problems posed by homemade automatic firing devices. Legal experts stress that such devices are not suitable for providing a legally permissible means of preventing danger and generally carry criminal and regulatory consequences. The proceedings at Stendal Regional Court are expected to shed further light on the extent of the injuries, how the device worked and any previous convictions the defendant may have.
Statements and further hearing dates are still awaited.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).