Shades of Guilt (2015–2019): Season 1, Episode 3 - Ausgleich - full transcript
A wife silently endures years of domestic abuse from her husband, but she must fight back when he threatens to turn his attentions to their young daughter.
- Grandma, Grandpa.
- Hello.
- Bye.
- Have a good time.
Bye, sweetheart.
No.
SHADES OF GUILT
AMENDS
The arrest warrant
calls it murder and I agree.
We don't get many murder cases,
but this one speaks for itself.
On Saturday night, Alexandra
Leuffer killed her husband.
- In his sleep.
- That's been proved conclusively?
He was lying on his back. His hands
showed no signs of a struggle.
Moreover,
Mrs Leuffer has confessed.
- Confessed?
- Yes.
Not even a Berlin lawyer
can change that.
I'm charging her with murder.
I'll send you a copy.
If you make out a visiting permit,
I'll discuss everything
with Mrs Leuffer.
Thank you.
- This way.
- Thank you.
Hello, Mrs Leuffer.
My name is Kronberg,
I'm a lawyer.
Take a seat.
Your parents
have asked me to defend you.
Could you sign this agreement
authorising me to act on your behalf?
Thank you.
There's no way round this,
you'll have to tell me
what happened.
But I've already said everything.
You made a confession,
that's not quite the same.
And it doesn't make
my work any easier.
I don't think you said
how you got those injuries.
Who did that to you?
We should have it documented.
Mrs Leuffer, listen.
I'm not the police,
I'm not trying to incriminate you.
I'm your lawyer
and I want to help you.
But you have to talk to me.
Tell me everything, starting
with how you met your husband.
I was 19.
- Feels good, doesn't it?
- Very good.
It's a good choice,
comes with a one-year warranty.
Any problems,
I hope not, of course,
or maybe I do hope,
just come by.
Thank you.
- To you.
- To us.
- It's for you, my sweetheart.
- Thank you, Grandpa.
Please take off your gown.
Left liver.
Left forearm.
Left thigh.
Turn around, please.
Hey, honey.
- Have you been drinking?
- Yes, so?
I don't know.
Take off your jacket first.
- Leave it.
- What's the matter?
Coffee's almost ready.
I'm really sorry
about yesterday. Forgive me.
I drank too much.
Forgive me, I'll never
drink again. Never again.
Forgive me.
Please. Please.
Judge Falk?
Hello, Kronberg.
I'm representing Mrs Leuffer.
- Hello.
- Hello.
She's being accused of murder.
Could there be another interpretation?
I visited her, and it seems
she was physically abused
prior to the crime
committed by her husband.
The man was asleep. You know
the court's stance in such cases.
Yes.
I'm sorry.
Good morning.
I hereby declare
the Oldenburg court in session.
The composition of the court has
been communicated to you in writing.
The defendant,
Mrs Alexandra Leuffer,
is present with her lawyer,
Friedrich Kronberg.
Public Prosecutor Kaulbach
will present the prosecution.
You are Alexandra Leuffer,
born in Delmenhorst
on 5 February 1982,
residing in Oldenburg,
and you were married to the victim.
Prosecutor, I give you the floor.
The defendant is accused,
on April 12th this year
in Oldenburg,
of killing her husband, Thomas
Leuffer. Since the victim was asleep,
we consider it treacherous murder
under paragraph 211, section II...
Mrs Leuffer? Would you like
to respond to these charges?
My client doesn't wish to respond.
How lovely.
Dr Meier, tell us about your findings
with respect to the case.
We found the victim in bed
with a crushed skull.
We observed fractures and splintering
caused by extreme violence.
The damage to his brain
would have led to instant death.
Was he struck more than once?
No, the marks on the victim's
skull suggest a single blow.
Do the blood splatters
corroborate your account?
Absolutely. We didn't find
anything to suggest otherwise.
And the murder weapon?
The murder weapon
was a stone statue of a couple.
This is Thomas Leuffer's voicemail.
Please leave a message.
Thomas, it's us. Where are you?
We're waiting for you. See you soon.
Can you help Mummy?
- Good night, my love.
- Good night.
Sleep well.
Where's Daddy?
He'll be here when you wake up.
Back so soon?
Meaning?
Meaning what?
Well?
Any questions for the expert?
Doctor, in what condition was
Mrs Leuffer when you examined her?
2 days after the crime,
the defendant's body
showed significant injuries
resulting from blunt force.
Her liver was torn
along a length of 4 cm.
Both kidneys were damaged
to the point of bleeding.
She also had haemorrhages
all over her upper body.
X-rays of the thorax
show four broken ribs.
Six other ribs showed fractures that
had healed, dating back 3 to 7 years.
Sweetie, get up. We're going
to Granny's for Christmas lunch.
Why didn't you wake me earlier?
I want to play with Sofia.
We can do that there.
We'll bring her along.
Come on.
Here, put on your shoes
and hat and go outside.
Let's go.
- Where are you going?
- To Granny's for Christmas lunch.
Granny called. She's not well.
I'm afraid Christmas lunch is off.
- What did Father Christmas bring you?
- Sofia.
- Hello, Sofia. Shall we play?
- Oh yes.
You're not going anywhere.
Is that clear?
Dr Bahnert,
did you observe any signs of limited
cognitive capacity at the time?
I didn't observe
any relevant psychiatric illness
that could be interpreted
as a diminishment of responsibility.
Thank you.
I have no further questions.
Defence counsel, any questions?
Yes, I'd like to ask you
how you'd assess the abuse
which Mrs Leuffer had to endure
during her marriage.
We may assume she was suffering
from post-traumatic stress disorder.
That's all I can say.
Mrs Leuffer was also found
to have older injuries.
Could they possibly have been
inflicted by her husband?
- As I said, I can't say.
- No further questions.
Thank you, Dr Bahnert.
You're dismissed.
Where are you going?
Aren't you hungry?
- Shall we go?
- Yes.
- Thanks.
- Bye, sweetie. Have a nice day.
- Got your jacket?
- Yes.
You can't just let it all
wash over you.
Tomorrow you have
to give a detailed testimony
about your husband's
violent behaviour,
and why you didn't defend yourself,
or no one will understand.
Can I ask you one thing?
Why didn't you leave your husband?
I wanted to wait
until Saskia was old enough.
- That was my goal.
- You have to say that in court.
- I can't.
- You're charged with murder.
You know what that means:
a life sentence.
Trust me, the judge is on your side,
but you have to give him something.
Please stop this, Mrs Leuffer.
It won't get you anywhere.
You have to testify tomorrow.
Mrs Leuffer,
think of your daughter.
She's waiting for you.
Can you take my bag?
I'm going to Lea's.
OK, but not for long,
dinner's in an hour.
Need some help?
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
I'm Felix, by the way.
Sonnenberg. I live upstairs.
Maybe you'd like to visit sometime.
Sure, thanks.
Have you got any salt?
I have.
No, I...
I know, it's a silly pretext.
Would you like to go
and have coffee?
Sure, let me get my jacket.
Mrs Leuffer,
this is your chance to tell
the court your side of the story.
I advise you to say something.
Mrs Leuffer?
The court could read the confession
made by the defendant as an alternative.
That wasn't
what I had in mind. Counsel.
My client's unable to testify because
of post-traumatic stress disorder.
OK, then we'll read out
the confession.
Proceedings of April 13th 2014.
Interrogation of the defendant
by Prosecutor Kaulbach
regarding Thomas Leuffer.
"That day, Thomas and I took our
daughter Saskia to my parents' farm..."
When we came home,
Thomas assaulted and raped me.
When he had finished, he pushed me
off the bed with his feet.
Saskia is nearly 10.
Then he told me
Saskia was sexually mature.
That he'd do the same to her
as he did with me.
I tried to defend myself
but he kicked me in the stomach.
It made me wretch.
I cleaned up the vomit
and waited until he fell asleep.
I kept thinking of Saskia.
She's only 9.
I grabbed hold of the statue
and used it to bash his head in.
Your Honour,
according to case law,
the murder of someone in their sleep
is always considered
an act of treacherous murder.
In my opinion,
mitigating circumstances
on account of her husband's
abuse do not apply.
The defendant acted deliberately.
She killed her husband in his sleep.
The defendant should therefore
be imprisoned for life.
Court is adjourned
until 9.30 tomorrow morning.
Colleagues, I'd like
to have a word with you both.
Mr Kaulbach, you've seen the state
she was in at the time of the murder.
Of course I have.
So you can imagine
the abuse she suffered.
It's terrible,
but it doesn't mean anything.
She's traumatised.
It's a matter of common sense.
The law is clear on this matter.
The victim was asleep:
- treacherous murder.
- That's a term from the Nazi period.
Mr Kaulbach, you don't expect me
to send her to prison for life, do you?
Mr Kronberg.
I'd like to hear something useful
from you tomorrow. Please.
I'll do my best.
- Bye, Mum.
- Bye, dear.
Your helmet.
Bye.
TAKE SUGAR IN YOUR COFFEE?
TREACHEROUS MURDER
EXCULPATORY EMERGENCY
PERMANENT THREAT
I'd like to continue
where we left off yesterday.
Would the defence
give their closing argument?
Your Honour, Prosecutor.
People who, like my client,
endure years of domestic violence
don't live like others,
which is why I don't regard it
as treacherous murder.
Even if, and here I agree
with the prosecution,
according to case law, it's enough
for the victim to be asleep
for it to be considered
treacherous murder,
the court has acknowledged
that in certain cases
it need not necessarily lead
to lifelong imprisonment.
I quote:
"If the so-called treachery
involves exonerating circumstances,
the imposition of a lifelong sentence
may be disproportionate."
That clearly applies in this case.
Mrs Leuffer was humiliated
and abused by her husband for years.
She didn't dare confide
in anyone or defend herself.
This would have continued
if her husband, Mr Leuffer,
on the night of the murder,
hadn't threatened to do
the same to their daughter Saskia.
I believe this is
the key to this case.
Mrs Leuffer had to assume her husband
would carry out his threat,
just as he had carried out
all other threats he'd made.
Thomas Leuffer has to be considered
as a permanent, imminent aggressor.
Even if Mr Leuffer
was asleep at the time,
he posed an imminent threat.
Mrs Leuffer acted in self-defence.
She saved her daughter
from being assaulted
and raped by Mr Leuffer.
Your Honour, that's why I request
that Alexandra Leuffer be acquitted.
The defendant has the final word.
Mrs Leuffer?
The court will retire
to deliberate its verdict.
There's a beach.
And palm trees.
And it's very hot there.
That's where
I'd like to be with you.
You're so corny.
- Where are my pants?
- What?
- My pants.
- Wait.
What's that?
Did your husband do that?
Alex.
- We have to go to the police.
- No.
When Saskia is old enough.
The verdict is as follows:
the defendant,
Mrs Alexandra Leuffer,
is acquitted of murdering
her husband, Thomas Leuffer.
The ruling is based on the fact
that it was an act of self-defence.
Anyone defending themselves against
imminent assault cannot be punished.
That's exactly
what Mrs Leuffer did.
She had to assume that her husband
represented a permanent threat
to her and her underage daughter.
This is an ad hoc decision.
The court rescinds the arrest
warrant against Mrs Leuffer,
and orders her immediate
release from custody.
The hearing is closed.
- I'm glad for you.
- Thank you.
You're free.
Come on.
Goodbye.
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
- That was a fine summation.
- Thank you.
- Mr Kaulbach, please let this rest.
- I will.
- All the best.
- Have a good day.
I was wearing a white nightgown.
No, I didn't take a shower.
I kept thinking of Saskia.
She's only 9.
NO FINGERPRINTS
WERE FOUND ON THE STATUE
I waited until he fell asleep.
I grabbed hold of the statue
and used it to bash his head in.
A person's guilt
is hard to measure.
All our lives
we strive for happiness
but sometimes we go astray
and things go awry.
Then only the law
separates us from chaos,
a thin layer of ice, underneath
which it's cold and you die quickly.
- Hello.
- Bye.
- Have a good time.
Bye, sweetheart.
No.
SHADES OF GUILT
AMENDS
The arrest warrant
calls it murder and I agree.
We don't get many murder cases,
but this one speaks for itself.
On Saturday night, Alexandra
Leuffer killed her husband.
- In his sleep.
- That's been proved conclusively?
He was lying on his back. His hands
showed no signs of a struggle.
Moreover,
Mrs Leuffer has confessed.
- Confessed?
- Yes.
Not even a Berlin lawyer
can change that.
I'm charging her with murder.
I'll send you a copy.
If you make out a visiting permit,
I'll discuss everything
with Mrs Leuffer.
Thank you.
- This way.
- Thank you.
Hello, Mrs Leuffer.
My name is Kronberg,
I'm a lawyer.
Take a seat.
Your parents
have asked me to defend you.
Could you sign this agreement
authorising me to act on your behalf?
Thank you.
There's no way round this,
you'll have to tell me
what happened.
But I've already said everything.
You made a confession,
that's not quite the same.
And it doesn't make
my work any easier.
I don't think you said
how you got those injuries.
Who did that to you?
We should have it documented.
Mrs Leuffer, listen.
I'm not the police,
I'm not trying to incriminate you.
I'm your lawyer
and I want to help you.
But you have to talk to me.
Tell me everything, starting
with how you met your husband.
I was 19.
- Feels good, doesn't it?
- Very good.
It's a good choice,
comes with a one-year warranty.
Any problems,
I hope not, of course,
or maybe I do hope,
just come by.
Thank you.
- To you.
- To us.
- It's for you, my sweetheart.
- Thank you, Grandpa.
Please take off your gown.
Left liver.
Left forearm.
Left thigh.
Turn around, please.
Hey, honey.
- Have you been drinking?
- Yes, so?
I don't know.
Take off your jacket first.
- Leave it.
- What's the matter?
Coffee's almost ready.
I'm really sorry
about yesterday. Forgive me.
I drank too much.
Forgive me, I'll never
drink again. Never again.
Forgive me.
Please. Please.
Judge Falk?
Hello, Kronberg.
I'm representing Mrs Leuffer.
- Hello.
- Hello.
She's being accused of murder.
Could there be another interpretation?
I visited her, and it seems
she was physically abused
prior to the crime
committed by her husband.
The man was asleep. You know
the court's stance in such cases.
Yes.
I'm sorry.
Good morning.
I hereby declare
the Oldenburg court in session.
The composition of the court has
been communicated to you in writing.
The defendant,
Mrs Alexandra Leuffer,
is present with her lawyer,
Friedrich Kronberg.
Public Prosecutor Kaulbach
will present the prosecution.
You are Alexandra Leuffer,
born in Delmenhorst
on 5 February 1982,
residing in Oldenburg,
and you were married to the victim.
Prosecutor, I give you the floor.
The defendant is accused,
on April 12th this year
in Oldenburg,
of killing her husband, Thomas
Leuffer. Since the victim was asleep,
we consider it treacherous murder
under paragraph 211, section II...
Mrs Leuffer? Would you like
to respond to these charges?
My client doesn't wish to respond.
How lovely.
Dr Meier, tell us about your findings
with respect to the case.
We found the victim in bed
with a crushed skull.
We observed fractures and splintering
caused by extreme violence.
The damage to his brain
would have led to instant death.
Was he struck more than once?
No, the marks on the victim's
skull suggest a single blow.
Do the blood splatters
corroborate your account?
Absolutely. We didn't find
anything to suggest otherwise.
And the murder weapon?
The murder weapon
was a stone statue of a couple.
This is Thomas Leuffer's voicemail.
Please leave a message.
Thomas, it's us. Where are you?
We're waiting for you. See you soon.
Can you help Mummy?
- Good night, my love.
- Good night.
Sleep well.
Where's Daddy?
He'll be here when you wake up.
Back so soon?
Meaning?
Meaning what?
Well?
Any questions for the expert?
Doctor, in what condition was
Mrs Leuffer when you examined her?
2 days after the crime,
the defendant's body
showed significant injuries
resulting from blunt force.
Her liver was torn
along a length of 4 cm.
Both kidneys were damaged
to the point of bleeding.
She also had haemorrhages
all over her upper body.
X-rays of the thorax
show four broken ribs.
Six other ribs showed fractures that
had healed, dating back 3 to 7 years.
Sweetie, get up. We're going
to Granny's for Christmas lunch.
Why didn't you wake me earlier?
I want to play with Sofia.
We can do that there.
We'll bring her along.
Come on.
Here, put on your shoes
and hat and go outside.
Let's go.
- Where are you going?
- To Granny's for Christmas lunch.
Granny called. She's not well.
I'm afraid Christmas lunch is off.
- What did Father Christmas bring you?
- Sofia.
- Hello, Sofia. Shall we play?
- Oh yes.
You're not going anywhere.
Is that clear?
Dr Bahnert,
did you observe any signs of limited
cognitive capacity at the time?
I didn't observe
any relevant psychiatric illness
that could be interpreted
as a diminishment of responsibility.
Thank you.
I have no further questions.
Defence counsel, any questions?
Yes, I'd like to ask you
how you'd assess the abuse
which Mrs Leuffer had to endure
during her marriage.
We may assume she was suffering
from post-traumatic stress disorder.
That's all I can say.
Mrs Leuffer was also found
to have older injuries.
Could they possibly have been
inflicted by her husband?
- As I said, I can't say.
- No further questions.
Thank you, Dr Bahnert.
You're dismissed.
Where are you going?
Aren't you hungry?
- Shall we go?
- Yes.
- Thanks.
- Bye, sweetie. Have a nice day.
- Got your jacket?
- Yes.
You can't just let it all
wash over you.
Tomorrow you have
to give a detailed testimony
about your husband's
violent behaviour,
and why you didn't defend yourself,
or no one will understand.
Can I ask you one thing?
Why didn't you leave your husband?
I wanted to wait
until Saskia was old enough.
- That was my goal.
- You have to say that in court.
- I can't.
- You're charged with murder.
You know what that means:
a life sentence.
Trust me, the judge is on your side,
but you have to give him something.
Please stop this, Mrs Leuffer.
It won't get you anywhere.
You have to testify tomorrow.
Mrs Leuffer,
think of your daughter.
She's waiting for you.
Can you take my bag?
I'm going to Lea's.
OK, but not for long,
dinner's in an hour.
Need some help?
- Thanks.
- You're welcome.
I'm Felix, by the way.
Sonnenberg. I live upstairs.
Maybe you'd like to visit sometime.
Sure, thanks.
Have you got any salt?
I have.
No, I...
I know, it's a silly pretext.
Would you like to go
and have coffee?
Sure, let me get my jacket.
Mrs Leuffer,
this is your chance to tell
the court your side of the story.
I advise you to say something.
Mrs Leuffer?
The court could read the confession
made by the defendant as an alternative.
That wasn't
what I had in mind. Counsel.
My client's unable to testify because
of post-traumatic stress disorder.
OK, then we'll read out
the confession.
Proceedings of April 13th 2014.
Interrogation of the defendant
by Prosecutor Kaulbach
regarding Thomas Leuffer.
"That day, Thomas and I took our
daughter Saskia to my parents' farm..."
When we came home,
Thomas assaulted and raped me.
When he had finished, he pushed me
off the bed with his feet.
Saskia is nearly 10.
Then he told me
Saskia was sexually mature.
That he'd do the same to her
as he did with me.
I tried to defend myself
but he kicked me in the stomach.
It made me wretch.
I cleaned up the vomit
and waited until he fell asleep.
I kept thinking of Saskia.
She's only 9.
I grabbed hold of the statue
and used it to bash his head in.
Your Honour,
according to case law,
the murder of someone in their sleep
is always considered
an act of treacherous murder.
In my opinion,
mitigating circumstances
on account of her husband's
abuse do not apply.
The defendant acted deliberately.
She killed her husband in his sleep.
The defendant should therefore
be imprisoned for life.
Court is adjourned
until 9.30 tomorrow morning.
Colleagues, I'd like
to have a word with you both.
Mr Kaulbach, you've seen the state
she was in at the time of the murder.
Of course I have.
So you can imagine
the abuse she suffered.
It's terrible,
but it doesn't mean anything.
She's traumatised.
It's a matter of common sense.
The law is clear on this matter.
The victim was asleep:
- treacherous murder.
- That's a term from the Nazi period.
Mr Kaulbach, you don't expect me
to send her to prison for life, do you?
Mr Kronberg.
I'd like to hear something useful
from you tomorrow. Please.
I'll do my best.
- Bye, Mum.
- Bye, dear.
Your helmet.
Bye.
TAKE SUGAR IN YOUR COFFEE?
TREACHEROUS MURDER
EXCULPATORY EMERGENCY
PERMANENT THREAT
I'd like to continue
where we left off yesterday.
Would the defence
give their closing argument?
Your Honour, Prosecutor.
People who, like my client,
endure years of domestic violence
don't live like others,
which is why I don't regard it
as treacherous murder.
Even if, and here I agree
with the prosecution,
according to case law, it's enough
for the victim to be asleep
for it to be considered
treacherous murder,
the court has acknowledged
that in certain cases
it need not necessarily lead
to lifelong imprisonment.
I quote:
"If the so-called treachery
involves exonerating circumstances,
the imposition of a lifelong sentence
may be disproportionate."
That clearly applies in this case.
Mrs Leuffer was humiliated
and abused by her husband for years.
She didn't dare confide
in anyone or defend herself.
This would have continued
if her husband, Mr Leuffer,
on the night of the murder,
hadn't threatened to do
the same to their daughter Saskia.
I believe this is
the key to this case.
Mrs Leuffer had to assume her husband
would carry out his threat,
just as he had carried out
all other threats he'd made.
Thomas Leuffer has to be considered
as a permanent, imminent aggressor.
Even if Mr Leuffer
was asleep at the time,
he posed an imminent threat.
Mrs Leuffer acted in self-defence.
She saved her daughter
from being assaulted
and raped by Mr Leuffer.
Your Honour, that's why I request
that Alexandra Leuffer be acquitted.
The defendant has the final word.
Mrs Leuffer?
The court will retire
to deliberate its verdict.
There's a beach.
And palm trees.
And it's very hot there.
That's where
I'd like to be with you.
You're so corny.
- Where are my pants?
- What?
- My pants.
- Wait.
What's that?
Did your husband do that?
Alex.
- We have to go to the police.
- No.
When Saskia is old enough.
The verdict is as follows:
the defendant,
Mrs Alexandra Leuffer,
is acquitted of murdering
her husband, Thomas Leuffer.
The ruling is based on the fact
that it was an act of self-defence.
Anyone defending themselves against
imminent assault cannot be punished.
That's exactly
what Mrs Leuffer did.
She had to assume that her husband
represented a permanent threat
to her and her underage daughter.
This is an ad hoc decision.
The court rescinds the arrest
warrant against Mrs Leuffer,
and orders her immediate
release from custody.
The hearing is closed.
- I'm glad for you.
- Thank you.
You're free.
Come on.
Goodbye.
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
- That was a fine summation.
- Thank you.
- Mr Kaulbach, please let this rest.
- I will.
- All the best.
- Have a good day.
I was wearing a white nightgown.
No, I didn't take a shower.
I kept thinking of Saskia.
She's only 9.
NO FINGERPRINTS
WERE FOUND ON THE STATUE
I waited until he fell asleep.
I grabbed hold of the statue
and used it to bash his head in.
A person's guilt
is hard to measure.
All our lives
we strive for happiness
but sometimes we go astray
and things go awry.
Then only the law
separates us from chaos,
a thin layer of ice, underneath
which it's cold and you die quickly.