4 men confess to raiding German poker tournament as trial opens
By APMonday, June 14, 2010
4 men confess to heist on poker tournament
BERLIN — Four young men have confessed carrying out a brazen daylight raid on a poker tournament in March as their trial on charges of robbery and bodily harm opened at a Berlin state court.
Court spokeswoman Petra Carl said Monday that if convicted, a 21-year-old being tried as an adult could face up to 15 years in prison. She said the sentences for three 20-year-olds would depend whether the judge decides to try them as juveniles or adults.
The four stormed into the tournament at a downtown Berlin hotel on March 6 and made off with euro242,000 ($332,000) in jackpot money.
The defendants gave no details Monday about the whereabouts of the money. All but euro4,000 is still missing.
A ruling is not expected before late July.
