Even before the verdict on the so-called bathtub murder, there were spectacular acquittals, which were usually associated with compensation. A selection:
compensation in the millions
An acquitted doctor received compensation of around 1.2 million euros in 2020. The surgeon spent almost the entire year in custody in the Göttingen organ donation scandal and was later acquitted. He received most of the compensation for his missed salary.
Agreement on almost half a million
In 1998, Harry Wörz was convicted of attempting to murder his wife and spent four and a half years in prison. After years of fighting in court, he was finally acquitted in 2010. He initially received compensation of 41,900 euros and later agreed with the state of Baden-Württemberg on compensation of 450,000 euros.
Compensation for false statements
A man from Bavaria who was innocently imprisoned for seven years was awarded compensation of around 50,000 euros in 2013. He was acquitted of raping his daughter three times after she recanted her testimony.
Acquitted after almost ten years
Horst Arnold was sentenced to five years in prison in 2002 after being accused of raping a colleague. Nine years after the conviction he was acquitted and received a prison sentence of 45,000 euros.
More than 15 years imprisonment
A brick factory worker was convicted of abusing and murdering a six-year-old girl in 1971 and spent 17 years in prison. The man admitted the crime and then denied it. However, he received no compensation as his confession was an essential basis for the conviction.
