A German rapper who lost a huge chunk of his skull when his drug lab blew up is now also staring down prison time for the blast, which he called “the biggest mistake of my life.”
Niko Brenner, 39, was making a hash oil he called “Nazi gold” when it combined with butane gas and blew up his Cologne studio in 2017, throwing him into the street and leaving him in a coma for three months, Bild said.
The rapper known as Dr. Knarf eventually had half his skull removed — with shocking photos showing it completely curved in on the right, like a deflated ball.
The father of one is also paralyzed on one side after his injuries led to a series of strokes.
He had to be wheeled into Cologne Regional Court Thursday where he said he takes “full responsibility” for the life-altering blast as prosecutors seek to get him locked up for at least five years for that and the drugs.
“What I did was the biggest mistake of my life,” he told the court.
“I have been severely disabled since that day and will suffer from the consequences for the rest of my life. I couldn’t see my son growing up, my relationship fell apart,” he said.
“Of course I’m sorry about the whole thing now. …I was a serious addict and lived in my bubble. I did not worry about potential risks.”
Brenner admitted that he intended to produce an distribute the hash oil – also known as “dab” – saying he “chose the name ‘Nazi gold’ because I simply wanted to provoke.”
The prosecution, however, is expected to argue that the name glorified Adolf Hitler’s fascist rule – which could add additional years to Brenner’s sentence.
It is believed that the blast may have been ignited from a switch on the refrigerator, the Cologne Review said. The apartment building where the recording studio was located suffered serious material damage totaling over $16,300, the outlet added.
Other than Brenner and his co-accused — – identified only as “Esat B” – no one else was injured.
Prosecutors have said they will seek a minimum of five years imprisonment – but Brenner’s lawyer argued that he should be credited for his confession and severe injuries.
“My client made a full and comprehensive confession. Not just his appearance is different. He has also changed on the inside,” Heymann insisted.
“He is just happy to be alive. Now he wants to focus on what the future holds for him,” he added.
A decision is expected next month.
