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Bielefeld Cold-Case Murder Trial Opens Under Juvenile Law After DNA Breakthrough

Investigators traced decades-old genetic material from a glove to a near familial match and then to the defendant, allowing the 1994 kiosk killing to reach court.

Overview

  • Proceedings at the Landgericht Bielefeld are closed to the public, with hearing dates set through October 24.
  • The case concerns the fatal attack on 67-year-old kiosk operator Heinz-Georg Strohmidel on July 13, 1994, during a robbery.
  • Modern forensic work recovered trace DNA from a preserved work glove that matched earlier crime-scene material.
  • A voluntary saliva round of more than 200 men produced a near match to a relative, after which M. T. provided a sample that led to his identification and arrest.
  • The court must determine whether murder can be proven, as manslaughter would be time-barred and any sentence under juvenile law is capped at ten years.