Swiss Man Faces life Sentence in Brutal Double-Homicide Case
Zurich, Switzerland - A 47-year-old Spanish national is awaiting a verdict in a chilling case involving the murders of a Zurich psychoanalyst in 2010 and an elderly couple in Laupen, Bern, five years later. The trial concluded Thursday at the Zurich District court, with the prosecution demanding a life sentence and compulsory psychiatric confinement, while the defense pleaded for acquittal.
The accused,identified as a scaffolder,maintains his innocence,telling the court he had “nothing too do with” the brutal killings. He described himself as ”a good person” and denied exhibiting psychopathic tendencies, despite sporting three skull tattoos – the origin of which he declined to explain.
The prosecution’s case rests heavily on DNA evidence found at both crime scenes, including under the victims’ fingernails and on their clothing. They argue the evidence definitively places the defendant at the scenes of the crimes. The initial indictment detailed a horrific pattern: the 56-year-old psychoanalyst was stabbed 14 times in his office, while the elderly couple in laupen were allegedly attacked with an axe handle or hammer, suffering approximately thirty blows each.
The defense countered with a novel argument, suggesting the presence of the defendant’s DNA is attributable to a chronic skin condition, psoriasis, causing significant dandruff that could have been deposited at the locations prior to the murders. They also posited the possibility of intentional DNA contamination, claiming someone may have attempted to frame the defendant. This theory was dismissed as ”absurd” by the lawyer representing the victims’ families.
The defendant’s history includes a period of escape from a psychiatric clinic following the first murder,and a subsequent robbery attempt on his former neighbors in Laupen.He was finally apprehended in Geneva in January 2024 after a lengthy inquiry utilizing extensive DNA analysis.
While the prosecution initially sought the defendant’s expulsion from Switzerland, this request was withdrawn due to the relevant legislation not being in effect at the time of the alleged crimes.
A judgment is expected next week, potentially as early as Tuesday afternoon. However, the court has reserved the right to call additional witnesses or request further expert opinions before reaching a final decision. The case has gripped Switzerland, highlighting the complexities of forensic evidence and the challenges of determining guilt in cases involving mental health and potential manipulation.
