The Oct. 9, 2019, attack is considered one of the worst anti-Semitic assaults in Germany's post-war history.
The 28-year-old defendant, Stephan Balliet, posted a screed against Jews before trying to shoot his way into the synagogue in the eastern city of Halle while broadcasting the attack live on a popular gaming site. Judges at the Naumburg state court, which met in the state capital of Magdeburg for security and capacity reasons, on Monday found him "seriously culpable," news agency dpa reported. That means he will be effectively barred from early release after 15 years, which is typical for people in Germany given life sentences.
Presiding Judge Ursula Mertens described it as a "cowardly attack" as she announced the verdict. Balliet showed no reaction but took notes. During his trial, which began in July, Balliet admitted he wanted to enter the synagogue and kill all the 51 people inside. When he was unable to open the building's heavy doors, the German shot and killed a 40-year-old woman in the street outside and a 20-year-old man at a nearby kebab shop, and wounded several others.
Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)