Sebastian T. after his release from prison: Hope for justice for Hanna

Sebastian T. after his release from prison: Hope for justice for Hanna

After a long and broken journey, Sebastian T., who was convicted in autumn 2022 for the alleged murder of medical student Hanna Wörndl, regained his freedom on June 20, 2025. The now 23-year-old spent a year in the Traunstein correctional facility, where he not only spent his time in prison dealing with his personal tragedy, but also celebrated his birthday and Christmas in prison three times. Many thoughts are on his mind as he tries to find his way in the world again after his release, as Merkur reports.

His original verdict was based heavily on the testimony of a fellow prisoner who claimed that Sebastian T. had confessed to him in the cell that he had killed Hanna. However, a psychological report questioned the credibility of these claims. The Federal Court of Justice then overturned the verdict and the case will now be reheard in September, with a good chance of an acquittal for the young man, who had previously lived in Aschau.

The path to freedom

After his release, Sebastian spent a lot of time with his family, ate white sausages and maintained the contacts he had missed in prison. He has longed for it for a long time
Mountains, freedom and an unsupervised existence. He enjoys being outside again, playing table tennis, cycling through nature and eating as much ice cream and fried eggs as he wants. These small joys are important to him, because during his 945 nights in prison he often experienced a lack of freedom and personal development. The new trial in September brings both hope and fear for Sebastian T., because if the verdict were to go against him again, he would no longer believe in anything.

Despite his freedom, Sebastian T. has not yet come into contact with the family of Hanna Wörndl, his former fellow student and the possible murder victim. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic and hopes for a resolution that can bring peace to both families affected.

The background of the case

Hanna Wörndl was found dead in Aschau on October 3, 2022. Sebastian T. was jogging that day, and although witnesses saw him nearby, there was no evidence directly linking him to the murder. A psychologist appointed specifically for this case, Max Steller, came to the conclusion that the witness who incriminated Sebastian had a tendency to lie. This ultimately led to the review of the case and the overturning of the judge's ruling.

In the current social discussion about the judiciary and the handling of criminal proceedings, it is clear that cases like this test trust in the rule of law. Coming to terms with such a tragic incident requires both courage and tireless commitment from the judiciary. A recent publication of the statistical report on the penal system in Germany adds to the discussion on the incarceration of criminals and the challenges facing the system. Destatis also provides important data on the topic.

Whether the new process can bring justice for all involved remains to be seen. Sebastian T. is faced with a new opportunity to prove his innocence and make a fresh start.