The protracted and tragic murder trial against the alleged shooter at the Mercedes factory in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart is nearing its end. On Tuesday, the verdict against the then 53-year-old defendant will be announced.

In May of last year, the defendant shot two Turkish compatriots in a production hall at Mercedes-Benz during the morning shift. The motives for this terrible crime have not yet been fully clarified. The alleged perpetrator and the victims were both employed at the same logistics company on the factory premises.

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In his statement at the start of the trial, the defendant stated that he felt bullied and humiliated. As an employee of a transport company, he also feared being dismissed. With a fictitious certificate as a residence permit, he faced the possibility of having to leave Germany and his family if he lost his job.

Relatives of the victims were dissatisfied and disappointed after this statement. Now it is up to the district court to decide whether the man on trial shot his two victims "intentionally" and "treacherously". If this is the case, the requested lifelong imprisonment with the determination of special gravity of guilt by the prosecution would be possible.

The defense of the accused man, on the other hand, argues that it was a spontaneous act in a state of mental distress. However, the lawyer did not provide any specific information about a possible punishment in his closing statement.

On Tuesday, the Mercedes share temporarily weakened by 0.03 percent to 63.52 euros in XETRA trading. The outcome of the murder trial also has financial implications for the company, whose reputation and stock value have suffered from the tragedy.

The court decision is eagerly awaited as it not only reflects the fate of the accused but also the addressing and accountability regarding bullying and psychological stress in the workplace.