Free: Sebastian T. hopes for justice in the Hanna Wörndl murder case!

Free: Sebastian T. hopes for justice in the Hanna Wörndl murder case!

On June 20, 2025, there was a drastic change in the life of Sebastian T., who was released from the Traunstein Correctional Facility after a year as a convicted murderer. The young man who is said to have killed student Hanna Wörndl in autumn 2022 looks back on a dramatic time. Although he was initially considered the perpetrator, the Federal Court of Justice has now overturned the judgment of the Traunstein judges and a new trial is scheduled for September. This could possibly represent a chance for Sebastian T. to be acquitted. Merkur reports that ...

The murder case that shocked the region took place in Aschau on October 3, 2022, when Hanna Wörndl was found dead in Prien after a party. According to the information available, there was initially no reliable evidence that could link Sebastian T. to the murder. However, the incriminating testimony of a fellow inmate, Adrian M., who claimed that Sebastian T. had confessed to him in the cell, was later classified as not credible. Psychologist Max Steller, who prepared a report, came to the conclusion that M. had a tendency to lie and that there was a motive for making false statements. Süddeutsche reports that ...

A new chapter

After his release, Sebastian T. initially set up his tent in Aschau, where Hanna's family also lives. With remarkable composure, he explains that during his time in prison he spent 945 nights behind bars and celebrated Christmas and his birthday there three times. He spent his first days of freedom with his family, enjoying the little joys in life, playing table tennis, climbing mountains and treating himself to ice cream and fried eggs. These moments are of great emotional value to him, after he sorely missed his freedom and his loved ones during his time in prison. Merkur brings this to light...

Sebastian T. has completed training as a metalworker in the past, but the fear of the upcoming process hangs over him like a heavy shadow. He believes the new trial can bring answers for both families and hopes the truth will eventually emerge. The previous verdict was overturned because the judge was biased, and he says he would no longer believe in anything if he were convicted of murder again.

Statistical insights into the penal system

In a broader context, the statistical report on the penal system in Germany offers interesting insights. The data, recorded as of March 31, 2024, includes the number and structure of people in prison. It turns out that the review and quality assurance of court judgments are of the utmost importance in order to avoid wrongful convictions. Further information on the demographic and criminological characteristics of prisoners is available on the website of destatis.de to find. All of this suggests that the Sebastian T. case cannot be viewed as an isolated case, but is part of a larger system that must be continually checked for reliability.