Jury to deliberate in German driver’s attempted murder trial

The jury is expected to deliberate on Tuesday in the trial of a 30 year old German man accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving towards a road worker at 150 km/h, ORF reports. A verdict is expected in the evening at the regional court in Wels.

Prosecutors allege that the man drove into a closed construction zone on the A25 in February, where a worker was painting road markings. The worker reportedly escaped by jumping to the side.

The incident allegedly led to a 160 kilometre police chase along the Westautobahn, or A1, and into Lower Austria. Prosecutors say the defendant reached speeds of up to 240 km/h and repeatedly tried to ram police cars.

The defendant has denied attempted murder. His defence argued that he had been in an exceptional psychological state and had experienced tunnel vision, meaning he did not notice the worker.

A psychiatric expert found the 30 year old fit to stand trial and said he did not have a mental illness. However, she described him as extremely compulsive and under intense internal pressure.

The prosecution also accuses him of resisting law enforcement, attempted grievous bodily harm, aggravated coercion and property damage. He has admitted some of the allegations.

The trial was adjourned because of a lack of time. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, after which the jury will retire to consider its decision.