According to the 29-year-old, the act was preceded by excessive drug use. "That evening I drank booze, took amphetamines and coke for the first time in my life," the defendant said. Together with friends, they then wanted to play Playstation on the console until they noticed that they lacked a controller for it. In his ecstasy-fuelled state, the 29-year-old walked about three kilometers to his home to get the missing controller. At the time, he was living in a shared apartment with the 24-year-old defendant. On the way, 29-year-old Hennefer felt the need to smoke marijuana.

He bought around two grams of marijuana from his 20-year-old neighbour for 20 Euro. "But there was something wrong with the drugs," said the 29-year-old. "They betrayed me." As a result, he not only wanted to teach his neighbours a lesson, but also to get his 20 Euro back. In his drug intoxication, Hennefer remembered that there was still a chainsaw in the shed of his flat-sharing community. When the 24-year-old realized what his roommate was planning, he accompanied him. According to his own statement, to de-escalate the situation. They both reject the accusation that they wore horror clown masks during the attack. Even a knife is said not to have been used contrary to the indictment.

Armed with a chainsaw, the defendants entered the glass door and gained access to the apartment. Contrary to the accused's expectations, the 20-year-old and his 19-year-old friend attacked them. During the ensuing brawl, the 20-year-old suffered abrasions, cuts and a fracture of the nose bone. The 19-year-old was beaten to unconsciousness and had to have stitches in his hand. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old demanded his 20 Euro back. At the time of the brawl, the chainsaw was not used. Only after both parties had calmed down did the 29-year-old switch on the chainsaw to underline his demand. "That was my last money," says the unemployed man, who has been in custody in Cologne for several months. Despite a chainsaw, the two Hennefers did not get their 20 Euro back and fled. However, they threatened to come back in a week.

The 29-year-old defendant is also accused of having traded amphetamines commercially in more than 80 cases. The 24-year-old is said to have helped him. During the house search, police found, among other things, about one kilogram of amphetamines in the refrigerator. On Friday, the trial will continue at the Bonn Regional Court.

(Original text: Nathalie Dreschke / Translation: Mareike Graepel)