German federal court grants retrial after judge texted during testimony

Court throws out conviction of two men accused of involvement in knife fight after judge sent texts during trial to babysitter

A German federal court has granted two defendants a retrial because their judge was sending texts from her mobile phone during testimony to arrange a babysitter for her children.

The federal court of justice (BGH) found that "even in an age of limitless mobile phone and internet use", a judge "must devote full attention to the hearing".