American Man Receives Life Term for Germany Rape and Murder Case
A man from the United States has been handed a life sentence for the rape and murder of a tourist, alongside the attempted murder of her companion, both hailing from Illinois. This tragic incident occurred near a renowned tourist spot in Germany, shocking the nation.
An American man has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of a tourist and the attempted murder of her friend – both US citizens from Illinois – in a gruesome attack near one of Germany’s most popular tourist sights.
A German court convicted the 31-year-old tourist from Michigan, identified as Troy B., for the attack on the two women near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
In Monday’s court sentencing in Kempten, Judge Christoph Schwiebacher described the offense as "particularly serious." He also decided that the man would not be eligible for automatic parole after 15 years, which is the usual practice in Germany.
The incident occurred on June 14, 2023, when Troy B. made friends with two women near the Marienbrücke bridge, a popular spot for viewing Neuschwanstein Castle. He then convinced them to leave the main path by promising them an even better view.
Eva Liu, 21, and Kelsey Chang, 22, were American tourists who had just graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They did not know the man who attacked them.
The attacker first assaulted Liu. When Chang tried to help, he pushed her down a slope. The man then strangled Liu and sexually assaulted her. When other tourists arrived, he threw Liu down the slope before fleeing the scene.
The Füssen mountain rescue service saved the two victims from the ravine using a helicopter. Sadly, Liu passed away in the hospital due to her injuries. Troy B. was apprehended by police officers near where the attack took place.
Troy B. attends his sentencing at a court in Kempten, Germany, March 11, 2024.
Troy B. attends his sentencing at a court in Kempten, Germany, March 11, 2024.
Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Alexander Stevens, a lawyer representing Troy B., informed reporters at the court on Monday that if the judgment becomes final, his client will have to serve his sentence in the prison in Straubing, Germany. It has been determined that the severity of guilt is significant.
In the current situation, Troy B. will have to spend 15 years in Germany before any possibility of extradition. The only way this could change is if the USA submits an extradition request or if Troy B. decides to do so. However, Stevens has advised his client against taking this action.
The lawyer mentioned that his client has not made a decision yet on whether to appeal the court's ruling.
Neuschwanstein Castle, located approximately 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Munich, is a highly sought-after destination in Europe. It draws in about 1.4 million visitors annually, with around 6,000 visitors per day during the summer months.
Editor's P/S:
The brutal rape and murder
