After a knife attack in an elementary school in Esslingen, south-east of Stuttgart, the accused initially did not want to comment on the allegations against him. His defense attorney said at the beginning of the trial against the 25-year-old before the Stuttgart district court that he would initially not comment on himself or on the day of the crime.

The man is said to have attacked the school's holiday care on June 10 and attacked a seven-year-old girl at the entrance to the building. A caregiver was also injured trying to help.

When searching for a possible motive for the crime, the court now has to rely on the statements of the witnesses and the assessment of two experts.

The public prosecutor accuses the accused man of attempted murder and dangerous bodily harm. According to the investigation, the girl had been hit several times with the blade of a kitchen knife on the back of the head and neck and seriously injured. The then 61-year-old supervisor also suffered injuries from the knife.

Possibly less responsible

However, it is still unclear whether the German-born man with a Dutch passport can be held responsible for the crime at school. Because according to the public prosecutor's office, there are indications that he could be less criminally responsible and dangerous due to a mental disorder or mental illness.

According to the public prosecutor's office, however, it is certain that the girl concerned was a random victim. The supervisor is said not to have been known to the man from Esslingen.