The operation after the fatal shot in a printing plant in Simmering on May 7, 2023 now has legal consequences. Namely for a 34-year-old police officer who allegedly smashed a bystander’s head against the asphalt twice. The Public Prosecution Service accuses him of “excessive, unjustified violence” – accusations of abuse of office.
The videos of the incident, recorded by a television crew and cell phone cameras, are disturbing. The man pleads “not guilty” at the Vienna Regional Court.
He reports on the Sunday when he was one of the first officers on the scene. He met a woman in front of the printing shop: “She was completely hysterical and just pointed to the shop.” He talks about the woman several times. “Should you always describe a woman as hysterical?” the prosecutor interrupts him and receives support from the victim’s representative: “I also represent this woman. She just saw her husband get shot.”
Man pinned to the ground
The defendant apologizes and continues to talk in detail about the “stressful mission”. From the crime scene, the operation led first to an allotment garden and then back to Simmeringer Hauptstrasse. Where camera teams were already on site and his colleagues were currently fixing a man on the ground. “I had no idea what it was about. It involved an altercation with police colleagues at a murder scene. The man was wearing a thick down jacket. I didn’t know if he had a knife or a gun.”
“Accidentally pressed too hard”
During the official act, he comes to the aid of his colleagues and tries to restrain the man, but he keeps getting up. So he pushed his head: “Maybe I accidentally pushed too hard. But I don’t know what I could have done differently.” In the video, up to six police officers can be seen kneeling over the loudly shouting bystanders.
Head pressed against asphalt twice
It appears that the suspect is gaining weight. You then see him press his head against the asphalt twice. “I was leaning on his head,” the suspect said. “In the videos you see a jerking movement from top to bottom. “You hit your head on the ground,” the prosecutor said.
The victim suffered lacerations
The 19-year-old victim himself was now bleeding. This one suffered a cut wound. The screams are clearly audible in the videos: “What is this supposed to happen? What have I done to you? What are you doing?”
The judgment is still pending
“I just wanted to go to the ATM. Officials wanted my ID. I said no’. Then I was taken to the ground,” says the young man as a witness in the Vienna Regional Court: “I only offered passive resistance. I strongly opposed it.” – Actually, the man just wanted to get money that day. A jury verdict is still pending.
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.
