On Tuesday, a 50-year-old German man who killed a gas station cashier after being told to wear a mask while buying beer was given a life sentence.
In September 2021, the murder in Idar-Oberstein made Germany very angry. In response to the government’s restrictions on coronavirus, a strong campaign against masks and vaccines grew.
When 20-year-old student worker Alex W. was hired, the fight began. The man was told to wear a mask inside the store, which was required at the time in all German businesses. After a short fight, the man left.
The person who did it is only known as Mario N. — returned about an hour and a half later, but this time he was wearing a mask. But another fight broke out when he took off his mask after paying for his six-pack of beer at the register.
He then pulled out a pistol and shot the cashier in the head.
The court in Bad-Kreuznach found that Mario N. accused on Tuesday. He was given a life sentence for murder and having a gun without a permit.
In Germany, people who are given a life sentence can often try to get out after 15 years. Instead of murder, his defence team asked that he be found guilty of manslaughter.
Nicole Frohn, the first witness for the prosecution, talked about how Mario N. grew more and more angry about the steps taken to stop the pandemic because he thought they violated his rights.
She said, “He knew he couldn’t reach the politicians in charge, so he decided to kill Alex W.”
Luis N. turned himself in to police the day after the shooting.
Most of Germany’s coronavirus rules have been eased, but masks are still required in some places, like public transportation.
