American Woman Who Stabbed Migrant to Death During Sexual Assault Acted in Self-Defense, German Court Told

An American woman on trial in Germany for fatally stabbing a 64-year-old Eritrean national during an alleged sexual assault has insisted her actions were solely in self-defense amid what she described as a terrifying ordeal.

Fallyn B., 20, is facing charges of intentional bodily harm resulting in death after she stabbed Alem T., a man originally from Eritrea, during a scuffle at the Kaiserslautern main station in June last year.

According to prosecutors, the altercation began when the man allegedly groped Fallyn B. from behind while both were on an escalator. A heated verbal exchange and physical struggle ensued, during which the young woman pulled a 7-centimeter jackknife, reportedly to scare the man off.

When he attempted to grab her arm, she delivered a single, fatal stab to his upper body. The blade pierced the man’s aorta near his heart, causing him to collapse and die within seconds.

The defendant fled the scene by train, later texting an acquaintance: “I think I just killed someone.” She subsequently turned herself in to police and was briefly held in custody.

Initially investigated for manslaughter, authorities have since ruled out intent to kill but maintain the response was disproportionate.

In court, the U.S. citizen did not apologize to the victim’s family. Instead, her testimony focused on her troubled personal history, including bullying, substance abuse, and reported sexual trauma. Diagnosed with ADHD, she had been taking medication for mental health issues and worked in a civilian role at Ramstein Air Base while living in student housing.

Her lawyer, Roland Ohnesorg, argued that she acted out of fear. “She was terrified. My client only intended to make him let her go,” he told the court, as cited by Bild.

The prosecution contends that video footage shows the defendant using the knife in a targeted, purposeful manner and that her response far exceeded what could reasonably be considered self-defense.

“The initial groping was a criminal act,” said a spokesperson for the prosecution, “but the fatal outcome cannot be justified. This was not a proportional response.”

The case has reignited debate in Germany about self-defense, proportionality, and rising sexual violence, particularly in public spaces.

According to newly released police statistics reported by Remix News this week, reports of rape and sexual assault in Germany rose by 9.3 percent in 2024, with 13,320 recorded cases. Of the 11,329 suspects, 39 percent were non-German nationals despite comprising around 16 percent of the population.

For the victim’s family, represented in court by a legal advocate, the case is clear-cut. “This was not self-defense. This was a deliberate, fatal act,” they said.

The trial continues.