FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2016 file photo Cologne's Mayor speaks during a news conference in Cologne, Germany. A German man has been convicted of attempted murder for the stabbing of Cologne’s mayor the day before she was elected last year. The defendant was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the state court in Duesseldorf on Friday July 1, 2016, news agency dpa reported. Henriette Reker was stabbed in the neck as she campaigned on Oct. 17. (Oliver Berg/ dpa via AP, file) (The Associated Press)
BERLIN – A German court is due to deliver its verdict in the trial of a man charged with attempted murder over a knife attack on Cologne's mayor the day before she was elected last year.
The state court in Duesseldorf planned to announce its verdict Friday following the 2½-month trial of the German man, identified only as Frank S. in line with German privacy rules.
Henriette Reker was stabbed in the neck as she campaigned on Oct. 17. Prosecutors say the defendant tried to kill her because of her welcoming attitude toward refugees. They have called for a life prison sentence, while the defense says any sentence shouldn't be higher than 15 years.
The defendant has admitted to the attack but denied any intention to kill Reker.
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