Frankfurt, Feb 3, (dpa/GNA) – The family of Walter Luebcke, a German politician who was murdered by a right-wing extremist, has filed an appeal against the outcome of the trial, a spokesman for the family said on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman for the higher regional court in Frankfurt confirmed that the appeal had been lodged.
Stephan Ernst was sentenced to life in prison for shooting Luebcke, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, in the head on the district leader’s own porch in the region of Kassel in June 2019.
Ernst, 47, is said to have targeted Luebcke for his support for refugees.
His co-defendant, identified as Markus H, was handed a suspended sentence for violating weapons law but acquitted on the charge of aiding and abetting the murder.
Luebcke’s widow and their two sons were represented in the trial as co-plaintiffs.
The family spokesman said the appeal is aimed at overturning the co-defendant’s acquittal.
The family is said to be convinced that Markus H, who is also a known right-wing extremist, at least actively assisted Luebcke’s killer by providing the murder weapon, joint shooting practice and help in scouting out escape routes at the crime scene.
The trial outcome is also being appealed by federal prosecutors, Ernst and Markus H himself.
GNA