Indictment filed against Yosef Chaim Friedrich for the murder of Rabbi Amos Gueta
Following his confession to the murder of Rabbi Amos Gueta, claiming the victim was a "false messiah," 36-year-old Binyamin Yosef Chaim Friedrich has been formally charged. The indictment details the premeditated nature of the attack, the struggle with the rabbi's assistant, and the defendant's erratic behavior during interrogations.
As reported this morning on Walla, after the defendant confessed during an interrogation by the Sharon District Major Crimes Unit to the murder of Rabbi Amos Gueta and claimed he was a "false messiah," an indictment was filed today against 36-year-old Binyamin Yosef Chaim Friedrich for murder under aggravating circumstances. The indictment reveals new details about the planning that preceded the murder, the impersonation of a worshiper, the struggle with the rabbi's assistant, and the unusual statements made during interrogations.
An indictment was filed today (Thursday) at the Central District Court against 36-year-old Binyamin Yosef Chaim Friedrich for the murder under aggravating circumstances of the Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Gueta, 75, as well as for aggravated assault and illegal possession of a knife.
According to the indictment, Friedrich decided to kill the rabbi in advance. To carry out his plan, he took a 21-centimeter knife from the yeshiva kitchen, hid it in his pants, and covered it with his shirt.
At 05:39, he arrived at the rabbi's home, where his assistant, Yaakov, was present. Friedrich requested entry under the pretext of praying. Yaakov initially refused to disturb the rabbi's rest, but eventually yielded to the defendant's persistence, allowing him to enter to recite Psalms.
The indictment states that after standing by the bed for a few seconds, Friedrich suddenly pulled out the knife and stabbed the rabbi. When Yaakov intervened, a struggle ensued, during which Friedrich stabbed the rabbi three more times. Yaakov was wounded in the hand while attempting to subdue the attacker.
After the knife fell from his hands, Friedrich fled the scene. The rabbi was transported to Laniado Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 06:25. According to the indictment, the four stab wounds caused his death.
Following a three-hour manhunt, Friedrich was arrested. During interrogations, he exhibited erratic behavior, claiming that "the angel Samael Iblis is inside his liver" and labeling the rabbi a "false messiah." At times, he refused to speak, communicating only through gestures.
The prosecution's evidence includes Yaakov's testimony, security camera footage, DNA traces found on the knife, and medical documentation. In its request for detention until the end of proceedings, the state noted the defendant's criminal record and the risk of flight, citing his possession of a French passport.
