Overview

• Three truckers had been drinking vodka and beer on an Oberrot rest stop in mid-November when a dispute over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and a knocked-over cup escalated into violence.
• Prosecutors say both defendants struck the 34-year-old Ukrainian driver and delivered four head kicks after he lay motionless on the pavement.
• At the June trial, the younger defendant testified that he turned and saw his 45-year-old co-defendant land the decisive blows.
• The 45-year-old has denied witnessing the fatal kicks and disputes that he delivered any of the deadly strikes.
• Oberrot’s parking area is a common weekend stop for truckers affected by a Sunday driving ban in Baden-Württemberg.