Murder or self-defense? Trial of fatal stabbing in Ried

Murder or self-defense? Trial of fatal stabbing in Ried

A dramatic case is currently dealing with the Ried regional court, where jurors and judges are grappling with the question of whether a 22-year-old who stabbed his father acted in self-defense or whether it was murder. The incident occurred on January 19, 2024 in the defendant's apartment.

Prosecutor Alois Ebner outlined the events of the fateful evening during the trial on November 14th. He described the incident as an interpersonal "catastrophe" in which the son inflicted nine fatal stabs on his alcoholic father in a heated argument. The alleged dispute was characterized by violent clashes. According to Ebner, the father, who had 2.5 per mille of alcohol in his blood on the night of the crime, had previously actively tried to stop his son from taking drugs, which led to a deep conflict between the two.

History of the defendant

The defendant's life story is just as tragic. He began using drugs at the age of 14 and was prosecuted several times. He experienced a childhood marked by drugs and violence and, as his defense attorney Andreas Mauhart explained, was often mistreated by his father.

Defense counsel argued that the defendant was essentially a victim of his circumstances. Mauhart described a moving episode from the defendant's childhood when he believed his father's behavior was putting his life in danger. This correlates with the course of the incident when the son, in a panic reaction, tried to take the gun away from his father after he threatened to use a firearm.

The night of the crime

According to the defendant, he acted in a moment of great fear. The threat of his father's gun hanging in the air made him believe his life was in danger. “I wanted to snatch the gun away from him,” the 22-year-old explained in the trial. He emphasized that he did not act rationally, but only reflexively to save his life.

Ebner contradicted this view, pointing out the brutal nature of the attack. “You now have to decide whether this was murder or self-defense,” he addressed the jury. The evidence is supplemented by a ballistics report, witness statements from neighbors and other experts.

The trial will continue in the coming weeks, with the possibility of a site visit to the crime scene and further witness statements that will help clear up the case. The outcome of this trial remains to be seen as the jury must now answer the serious question: Was it an act of self-defense or murder?

More information on the details is available in a recent article on www.meinkreis.at.