Was it attempted murder? – Men stabbed: 2 schoolgirls in court

At the time of the crime, the students were only 18 years old. On the night of February 19, 2022, they allegedly attacked two men and a 17-year-old boy within an hour and a half in the center of Graz, between whom there was no connection.

According to Public Prosecutor Reingard Wagner, there are three attempted murders, in which the previously convicted first suspect sometimes ‘only’ made a contribution. The second suspect is said to have stabbed or at least tried in all three cases. In one case, a victim went through a real “death struggle,” the prosecutor described.

A cocktail of drugs and alcohol
“It is a coincidence that everything went relatively smoothly,” the prosecutor was convinced. ,,The victims defended themselves effectively.” All three escaped with minor injuries, the stab wounds were not all very deep, but on critical body parts such as the head, chest and upper body.

Both suspects had consumed a cocktail of alcohol and drugs before the attacks. This was also shown in the blood samples. According to the report, the young women therefore had reduced mental capacity. Moreover, both apparently suffer from psychological problems, according to the public prosecutor. A referral to an institution for psychologically deviant offenders was therefore in the room.

‘Both didn’t know what they were doing anymore’
According to lawyer Christine Lanschützer, the trial is about the issue of common sense. Her client had thrown in “anything possible”. “Both didn’t know what they were doing anymore,” said the defender. There can be no question of a “death struggle” of the victims. Most men only got “scratches”.

Bernhard Lehofer, the lawyer of the second defendant, also saw it that way. His client was not at fault so far and was just in her senior year of high school before she was arrested. “13 stitches sounds like a bloodbath,” Lehofer put into perspective and continued: “An intention to injure, yes, there was, but for someone to die: never and never.” he too: “There was a lack of seriousness”, he was convinced.

Gaping flesh wounds in neck and forehead
Both women have pleaded partial guilt and both began using drugs when they were 13 or 14 years old. “I’m so sorry for everything. I didn’t want that to happen,” said the 19-year-old first defendant. She admitted to holding the men, but was shocked herself when her friend stabbed them.

Photos of the victim who received 13 bites showed that the whole thing was probably not as innocent as the defense claimed. The judge pointed to the “gaping flesh wounds” on the man’s neck and forehead.

“I Wanted To Get Drunk Again”
The second suspect wanted to be honest: “I’ve had to think about it for a long time. I want to tell the truth and not deny anything.” That night was a few days before a planned extended stay in therapy because she was a ‘crab’ and had suicidal thoughts “I wanted to get drunk again and have a drink before therapy.”

She couldn’t explain why all this was happening. She confessed to “wielding a knife” in front of one of the men. In the second case, she actually stabbed: “I admit it, because I am sorry. Until then, I have only hurt myself, but never others.” She claimed that she did not want to kill anyone. Under the influence of drugs, she was “ as exchanged”.

Her accomplice also stabbed the second victim. In third instance, the 19-year-old admitted that he held the 17-year-old’s head with one hand and stabbed his skull with the other. She got the knife from her boyfriend shortly before. The boy suffered a head wound about an inch deep, but was not life-threatening.

The verdict will follow on Monday
The trial will continue on Friday with witnesses being heard. Witnesses will also be invited on Monday and various experts will be heard. A verdict is also scheduled for Monday.