Jens Lehmann's Courthouse Antics Over Neighbor's Garage
In a bizarre turn of events, ex-football legend Jens Lehmann found himself in the dock, accused of attempting to dismantle his neighbor's garage with a chainsaw due to his obstructed view of Lake Starnberg. Lehmann, 54, donned a dark suit and blue tie, maintaining his innocence and accusing his neighbor of character assassination in the Starnberg district court.
The trial kicked off amidst a long-standing neighborhood feud between Lehmann and his neighbor, stemming from the latter's garage obstructing Lehmann's lake view. Prosecutor Stefan Kreutzer, however, alleges a different tale. He claims that Lehmann went onto his neighbor's property, brandishing a chainsaw, and sawed up a roof beam in the garage last summer.
Lehmann's lawyer, Christoph Rückel, presented his client's defense, emphasizing that both neighbors had settled their disputes and this was an act driven by frustration. Lehmann's defense statement also included other charges—insulting police officers and fraud efforts related to unpaid parking garage fees.
When questioned about his chainsaw usage, Lehmann claimed he couldn't recall. Cameras captured Lehmann's actions during the incident, but he stood by his neutral intentions until the very end. He even compared the situation to false accusations in the entertainment business, citing an encounter with former teammate Thomas Linke during the trial break.
The trial heats up with Lehmann accusing the public prosecutor's office of double standards, and stating that his legal woes would never be dismissed, yet charges against others would be readily dropped. Kreutzer firmly denied these allegations, asserting that Lehmann had demonstrated a defiance of the law.
Lehmann's legal battle has become a spectacle in the media, with many remembering his glory days as the celebrated goalkeeper of the 2006 World Cup team. The local court has scheduled two trial dates, with a potential verdict coming just before Christmas on December 22. Lehmann, unconditionally presumed innocent until further notice, remains optimistic in the face of this unusual controversy.
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During the trial, Lehmann entertained the courtroom by referring to his soccer background, admitting, "Character is everything on the field, which is worse—murder or character assassination?". Joining the conversation succinctly, Lehmann mentioned his former teammate Thomas Linke, discussing the eccentricities of legal processes within the entertainment industry.
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