'Murder for sexual pleasure'

2004-01-26 14:02

Kassel, Germany - A German state prosecutor called Monday for a life sentence to be imposed on a self-confessed cannibal on trial for murder for killing and eating a man, in summing up ahead of a verdict this week.

Prosecutor Marcus Koehler told the court in the central city of Kassel that Armin Meiwes was guilty of committing murder for sexual pleasure and that he had planned to sexually satisfy himself later with a videotape of the act.

Meiwes has admitted killing and eating 43-year-old Bernd Juergen Brandes, whom he met via the internet, in March 2001 but he says Brandes agreed to the killing, which was filmed by the defendant on his home video camera.

Aroused by the process

He has also admitted being sexually aroused by the process.

A murder conviction carries a minimum 15-year life sentence. Cannibalism itself is not a crime in Germany.

Lawyers for the 42-year-old computer technician say he is guilty at worst of "killing on demand", punishable by up to five years in prison.

Koehler said Meiwes was not interested in the needs or desires of his victim and that Brandes's willingness to die had only provided the accused with an opportunity to carry out his long-held cannibal fantasy.

A verdict is expected on Friday.

- AFP