Child Murderer Remains in Custody - Convicted Murderer Magnus Gäfgen Changes Name, Withdraws Early Release Bid
A convicted murderer, previously known as Magnus Gäfgen, has changed his name. The man, who killed Jakob von Metzler in 2002, had applied for early release through the common app but later withdrew his consent for a supreme court review.
The 2002 kidnapping and murder of Jakob von Metzler sent shockwaves through Germany. The 11-year-old boy was abducted on his way home from school and found dead near a lake in eastern Hesse. Gäfgen was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with 'special gravity of guilt', making parole highly unlikely.
In 2024, Gäfgen submitted an application for early release through his defense attorney. However, the prosecutor's office advised against suspending his sentence on probation. German law allows for parole after 15 years, but in practice, it remains rare for such cases.
Despite the application, the convicted murderer will remain in prison. He has withdrawn his consent for a supreme court review of his potential release. The change of name by the convict does not alter the facts of the case or the legal process.
