Mörder unter uns: Der Live Crime Talk im Kölner Schwurgericht | NEUER FALL

Murderers Among Us: The Live Crime Talk at the Cologne Criminal Court

Murder, Manslaughter, and the Search for “Why”—Hariett Drack at the Cologne Regional Court

Normally, this courtroom is reserved for society’s most serious crimes. On November 19, 2026, however, the doors of the jury courtroom at the Cologne Regional Court will open for a special event: Delve into the depths of the human soul and experience true crime in the very place where verdicts are usually handed down in the name of the people.

Hariett Drack, together with Prof. Jan Orth, will present a new case, drawing on her unique journalistic perspective. This is not about mere voyeurism, but about the questions that often remain unanswered after an investigation:

• The “why”: What drives people to commit acts that defy our imagination?
• Prevention: Could the crime have been prevented by an attentive community?
• Behind the scenes: How does it feel to sit just a few meters away from a murderer at the moment the verdict is handed down?

About the Author: 

For four decades, the courtroom was her workplace: Hariett Drack, a longtime police and court reporter for the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, has covered countless trials. Following her first book, *Saal 210*, she recently published her second book, *Mörder unter uns* (*Murderers Among Us*), in which she draws on her many years of observations from the courtroom.

Today, she not only contributes her expertise as a freelance writer for ZEIT Verbrechen but also regularly shares her experiences as a guest on radio interviews and TV programs. Hariett Drack is regarded as a precise observer who recounts events in the courtroom objectively and with a keen eye for detail.

The facts at a glance:

• When: November 19, 2026
• Where: Cologne Regional Court, Luxemburger Str. 101, 50939 Cologne
• Doors open: 6:00 p.m. | Start: 6:30 p.m. (please arrive on time, as you’ll need to go through a security check)
• Ticket price: €15

Join us live for an evening exploring the depths of human nature, guilt, and the work of a court reporter.

ADMISSION ONLY WITH A VALID TICKET