Murder trial in Vienna: 14-year-old stabbed cemetery visitor more than 80 times
A murder trial began at Vienna Regional Court against a 14-year-old girl who killed a 64-year-old pensioner at Baumgarten Cemetery on 23 February. She faces up to ten years in prison and placement in a forensic therapeutic centre.
Murder trial at Vienna Regional Court: 14-year-old killed stranger out of pure killing desire
On Wednesday, a murder trial began at Vienna Regional Court against a 14-year-old girl who stabbed a completely unknown woman to death at Baumgarten Cemetery on 23 February. According to krone.at, the teenager, referred to in the article under the changed name Jenny, faces up to ten years in prison as well as placement in a forensic therapeutic centre.
The victim, a 64-year-old pensioner and academic, was visiting her family grave on that February day when Jenny attacked her with a pocket knife. According to medical evidence, the girl stabbed the woman's head and neck area more than 80 times. The 64-year-old had no chance and bled to death in front of her parents' grave.
Four-page indictment without explanation
The indictment against Jenny comprises only four pages. It provides no explanation for the act – because a classic motive is absent. According to the assessment of the criminal prosecution authorities, it is an act of pure arbitrariness. In mid-February, the girl had purchased the murder weapon, a pocket knife with a wooden handle, at a cutlery shop.
At that time, Jenny was living in a supervised residential facility. She could not be held there against her will for legal reasons. She had already shared her killing fantasies on social networks before the act.
"I couldn't think of anything anymore"
In the courtroom, guarded by nine prison officers, Jenny described the course of events in a monotone voice and without any visible emotional expression. "I got up and I noticed a tension," she told the panel of lay judges. This tension had not subsided. "I couldn't think of anything anymore. I was so tense. Then I took my knife and thought about the act. That I had to do this. That I had to kill someone."
She further stated that she had felt compelled to kill someone – otherwise she would have killed herself.
After the attack, she photographed the victim's body and sent the images to acquaintances. Shortly after, she was arrested by officers near the cemetery.
Psychiatric assessment: "extremely dangerous"
A psychiatric assessment diagnosed Jenny with a personality disorder and classified her as extremely dangerous. The prosecution therefore requested, in addition to a prison sentence, her placement in a forensic therapeutic centre.
Court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn pointed out a photography and film ban in the courtroom. It is to be expected that parts of the trial will be held in camera – in particular those sections dealing with the psychiatric assessment and the girl's background. The trial is scheduled for a single day of proceedings; a verdict is expected later that afternoon.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)