A Frankfurt court began the trial against five family members accused of murdering a\u00a0relative in the city\u2019s InterContinental Hotel last December.<\/p>\n
The defendants range in age from 15 to 44 and include the 16 year-old son of the victim. \u00a0The oldest family member was a cousin of the woman; her son and daughter are also on trial for the crime.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors wrote in their charges against the five: \u00a0\u201cAll of the accused took part in suffocating the woman, or at least approved of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The victim reportedly started to hit and talk to herself\u00a0last December then became aggressive towards her family, for reasons unknown . \u00a0This prompted the family members to perform an exorcism.<\/p>\n
Investigators could not say to which church or sect they belonged but the family is reportedly Christian, with Buddhist and shamanistic influences.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say the victim was\u00a0pushed the woman to the ground and pinned there. \u00a0According to prosecutors for at least two hours, they inflicted \u201cpain and torture on her body that went far beyond what is necessary to kill someone.\u201d \u00a0The woman\u2019s 44-year-old cousin is alleged to have stuffed a towel and a clothes hanger into her mouth in order to stop her screams.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say the eventual cause of death was due to\u00a0injuries around her neck and damage to her chest.<\/p>\n
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