Josef Fritzl is one of the most famous criminals in the world. For 24 years he locked his daughter in a basement dungeon in Amstetten, humiliated her, raped her many times and fathered seven children with her. For many people, he is the epitome of evil. Not so for his criminal lawyer Astrid Wagner, she reveals in an interview with moderator Tanja Pfaffeneder.
In August 1984, Josef Fritzl lured his then 18-year-old daughter Elisabeth into the basement of his home in Amstetten, Lower Austria. The victim faced 24 years of suffering and torment. During this time, Fritzl, also referred to by many as “the incest monster”, abused his daughter and fathered seven children with her, one of whom died after birth. Fritzl is said to have burned it in the oven. He explained to his wife that Elisabeth was in a cult, that she could not take care of her own children and that three children were left behind in the cellar.
‘Fritzl had a terrible childhood’
The well-known criminal lawyer Astrid Wagner is now the lawyer of the 87-year-old, who is serving his sentence in Stein Prison. According to Wagner, he should no longer be dangerous.
The author and lawyer describes himself as an empathetic person and thinks Josef Fritzl is not a beast. “He had a terrible childhood, but shouldn’t justify the whole thing,” says Wagner.
The Amstettner wants to spend the last years of his life in freedom, preferably with his wife, he fantasizes in the interrogation zone in the prison. However, there is no contact with the family.
Fritzl talks about Natascha Kampusch
In 2006, just two years before Josef Fritzl was arrested, the Natascha Kampusch kidnapping case came to light. Lawyer Astrid Wagner asked Fritzl, who had his surname changed to Mayrhoff in 2017, what he thought of Natascha Kampusch. The 87-year-old enthused: “A wonderful woman! What she’s been through and yet he couldn’t break her.”
These are statements that are difficult to understand. He himself destroyed the life of his family. The Penal Code provides for parole, even in the case of life imprisonment, after a maximum of 15 years. Josef Fritzl has now served this time.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
