24-year-old Viennese Marc D. has been in an American prison since April: he is accused of sex with a minor and kidnapping. The mother is fighting for his life!
A mother’s love for her child knows no bounds, and the willpower of a single parent certainly does not. The “Krone” meets Verena D. in a coffee house in Vienna-Favoriten. With tears in her eyes, the deli employee (41) tells an incredible story.
Her son has been in a Florida prison for months. The allegations are serious. He allegedly abused and even kidnapped a girl who was supposedly only 15 years old. Confused accusations, at least for the introverted IT technician’s family and friends.
His mother explains: “Marc met and fell in love with the girl through an online computer game. They texted each other for months and she led him to believe she was already 19 years old. And then he just followed his heart and wanted to meet the love of his life in Orlando. Yes, they had sex too. But no, he certainly didn’t kidnap or abuse her. He didn’t even know she was still underage. He’s not like that at all.”
Case brings back memories of being an 18-year-old at the time
The explosive case brings back memories of an Upper Austrian from almost six years ago, with astonishing parallels. The then 18-year-old also wore orange convict clothing in Florida after a night of love with a 15-year-old who used a fake birth certificate to pretend she was 19. The teenager was eventually released after a nervous crime involving legal wrangling.
Marc’s mother Verena D., for whom the allegations from the American Public Prosecution Service are incomprehensible, also hopes for the same. After his arrest – on the second day of his trip and after his first fatal night of love at the hotel – her son is now in custody in the infamous Brevard County Jail, awaiting trial. At the first hearing, without an attorney general (!), a bail of 160,000 euros was imposed, as for a serious criminal.
Mom took a second job
An amount that his family in Austria will probably never be able to pay. All their money is spent on Marc’s survival: “He freezes at night and is fed bad prison food. We now had to order him an overpriced long-sleeved shirt and healthy food. This costs us hundreds of euros per month. “I have taken a second job and we are selling all our belongings,” D. describes the financial misery. During the “Krone” conversation in a Viennese café, she continues to catch her breath and fight back tears.
After the initial shock, Marc’s family naturally turned to the local authorities. That is why a local lawyer is temporarily representing him on behalf of Rood-Wit-Rood at the minimum rate. “Since the arrest became known, the embassy in Washington and the honorary consulate in Orlando have been in contact with the citizen, his family members and local authorities. Considering the circumstances, the person concerned is doing well. “We remain committed to providing him with the best possible care,” a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.
The trial is still ongoing – there is a risk of 30 years in prison
A glimmer of hope for Verena D., but nothing more. Because whether her 24-year-old Marc will ever be able to feel a touch of freedom again is a razor’s edge. His US state sentence is 30 years in prison! In an American prison this means the highest risk of death. Especially with this terrible accusation of child abuse.
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.
