The verdict for the 26-year-old Israeli from Munich is: after he held his online girlfriend, who was eight years older than him and whom he had met on a chat platform, for several hours, hit her with a knife and then tried to commit suicide he now has to spend 18 years behind bars in Upper Austria.
A 26-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempted murder in Wels on Friday. He allegedly attacked his former internet girlfriend in Regau in October 2023 and seriously injured her with the knife. The judgment is not final.
intent proven
The jury considered it proven that the suspect had tried to kill his online acquaintance by cutting himself deeply in the neck. The suspect denied the intention to kill and injure to the police and in court, saying he “wanted to talk and commit suicide.” He had previously held his victim in the apartment for hours. He is also guilty of aggravated coercion and false imprisonment, to which he confessed.
Doubtless
In closing arguments, the prosecutor spoke of the perpetrator’s “unprecedented criminal energy” and emphasized the victim’s “deep desperation that was evident during the well-rehearsed interrogation.” He behaved towards the woman in an extremely cruel and torturous manner.” The public prosecutor demanded a guilty verdict for attempted murder: “Knife in the neck, there is no doubt about that. In that case, someone either wants to kill or accepts it.”
No defensive injuries
The defense cited contradictions in the demonstration of the crime and open questions in the expert’s statements. The lack of defensive wounds would also point to the defendant’s version. “Of course my client is responsible for the injuries and the crime, there is no doubt about that, but he did not want to kill her,” said the suspect’s lawyer.
Relationship only online
The 36-year-old and suspect met in 2022 on the online platform Discord. They got along well, their backgrounds were similar and the exchange became personal. Their connection was purely online, including via video chats.
She broke off
A kind of long-distance relationship developed, although they never met directly. But as the 36-year-old Dutch woman indicated, the conversations became uncomfortable for her and she ended the contact. However, the man repeatedly tried to speak to her via the platform. Eventually, she stopped responding to his messages and thought the matter was over.
Started in garage
In October last year, the suspect, who now lives in Munich, showed up at her home with a knife in his hand and attacked her in the underground parking garage. This is where the lacerations to the hand occurred. Then they both entered the apartment and after about three hours he led them to a nearby forest. When neighbors and police finally closed in, serious neck injuries occurred.
Suicidal intentions
The suspect claimed in court that he only wanted to commit suicide and that the injuries were unintentional. The Public Prosecution Service refuted this and the victim also believed that the deep, nine centimeter long cut in the neck was made deliberately: “I think it is virtually impossible that something like this could happen accidentally.”
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.
