Without money in his pocket, a 29-year-old got into a taxi in Innsbruck at night in April last year. When it was time to pay, she sprayed dry shampoo in the taxi driver’s eyes twice. On Wednesday, she was found guilty by the Innsbruck Regional Court.
“I don’t remember what really happened that night,” the defendant stated several times during the trial, but admitted that she “probably” used the dry shampoo. Before this “surgery”, she and her friend spontaneously decided to take a taxi. “I have no idea why we did that,” the woman said. In any case, that night she ‘suffered from withdrawal symptoms’ and eventually ‘a complete blackout’, mainly because she was addicted to cocaine and opiates, among other things. Overall, it was probably “a short circuit,” she emphasized.
Suspect wanted ‘money for drugs’
During the trial, she clearly put into perspective her intention to rob, which she had admitted to the police during her interrogation after the crime. “I have no idea what I really wanted,” she explained to judge Andrea Wegscheider and the jury. During the interrogation it sounded very different. The woman emphasized at the time that she wanted to attack and rob the taxi driver ‘for money for drugs’.
Attempted robbery was ‘spontaneous action’
The prosecutor and the judge ultimately followed this assumption. “It was not a planned act, but a spontaneous act, but it was still theft, coercion and fraud,” the prosecutor emphasized. Wegscheider also similarly argued: “Just because trivial damage occurred does not render the case void.”
Suspended prison sentence and unconditional fine
After brief consultation with the jury, Wegscheider decided on a suspended prison sentence of nine months and an unconditional fine of 720 euros. The woman also has to pay 17.90 euros for the taxi ride that was not paid in April. The verdict is already legally binding.
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.
