Trial against father: murder charge after the death of his infant in Vienna

Trial against father: murder charge after the death of his infant in Vienna

A tragic case is currently preoccupying the Vienna Regional Court, where a 29-year-old man is charged with suspicion of murdering his own son, a three-month-old infant. This incident has made waves as the little boy was hospitalized with serious injuries in early February and succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

The defendant, whose identity has not been made public, vehemently denies the murder allegations and sees himself as the victim of a conspiracy. According to the prosecution, the baby was brought to the Ottakring clinic on February 3rd by his 26-year-old mother with serious head injuries. Shockingly, the infant was already unconscious at this point and was suspected of having severe shaken baby syndrome. Despite all medical efforts, the child died just a few days later due to severe brain injuries.

Numerous witnesses and experts

The trial lasts two days and numerous witnesses, including the mother, who was initially suspected, are summoned to court. It is worth mentioning that the case against the mother was dropped in May because there was no sufficient suspicion against her, which is why she does not have to testify against her partner.

During the trial, various experts, including a forensic pathologist and a neuropathologist, will give their expert opinions on the infant's injuries. The verdict is expected on October 24th. If convicted, the defendant could face a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years or even life in prison.

The father has been in custody for seven months and protests his innocence. He believes he is being accused of a crime he did not commit. Another aspect of his defense concerns possible medical errors in the hospital. He is convinced that the true circumstances surrounding the injuries will come to light in the court hearings.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the investigation revealed that the fatal injuries occurred during a period when the father was alone with the child. Based on this information, he is accused of murder. The public prosecutor also sees it as necessary to bring charges of attempted murder, as the child's older injuries are also being blamed on him.

In this complex circumstantial trial, there are no direct witnesses who observed the alleged acts of violence. The defense argues, among other things, that complications during the birth of the child, who was delivered using a suction cup, could also play a role in the injuries. The defendant's lawyer expresses the hope that the truth will come to light during the trial and emphasizes that her client loved his child more than anything.