Two schoolgirls who stabbed their classmate to death and walked free because of their age are to be dragged into court in a civil case launched by the victim's grieving parents.
The killing happened in the town of Freudenberg, a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia State, Germany, on 11th March 2023.
Victim Luise Frisch, aged 12, was knifed 74 times before being thrown down a slope from a bike path near a disused train station in Wildenburg, around two kilometres (1.2 miles) from her home.
The girls accused of the attack, named as Luisa Halberstadt, then 13, and Anna-Marie Hoffman, then 12, were both under the age of criminal responsibility and escaped prosecution.
They were placed in a psychiatric institution after being removed from their families and school.
German media reported that their relatives also fled their homes to escape public backlash.
Now Luise's family has filed a civil lawsuit seeking EUR 180,000 (GBP 154,000) in damages over the killing.
Lawyers say the civil claim will force Halberstadt and Hoffman to appear in court over the killing, despite being shielded from criminal prosecution by their age.
The case is being brought before the Siegen District Court, where Luise's parents are represented by lawyer Julian Graf.
Graf said: "The parents simply want justice. Criminal law failed here due to the age of the perpetrators."
He added: "They want justice at least in civil law."
The girls have been summoned to appear and the court is expected to implement protective measures due to their age, with possible privacy restrictions and limited public access.
The first hearing has been scheduled for 24th July.
The murdered girl's family had earlier issued a heartbreaking public tribute describing the void left in their lives.
In the message, they said: "Luise. Our home is now so quiet. Your place will always be empty."
They added: "Luise's violent death has brought with it unbearable pain. But through the uncountable gestures from those who also showed their sadness and willingness to help us get through this, we have learned that we are not alone.
"From our hearts, we thank everybody for your support in the hardest time of our lives.
"We also thank the fast response and support of the emergency services and volunteers who worked day and night to try and find our Luise. We also want to thank the police and victim protection department, who offered support and stood by our side."
Luise was laid to rest in Freudenberg’s cemetery following a memorial service at the Evangelical Church on 22nd March 2023.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)