At the end of July, a violent confrontation took place in the homeless district of Vienna-Alsergrund, which turned out to be life-threatening for one of those involved. Due to his appearance, the man was identified by witnesses as “Santa Claus” – the suspect denies the crime. “He just wanted to help a friend” and allegedly put the knife in his pocket “just out of horse-drawn carriage tradition.”
A late-night drinking session in Vienna’s Sigmund Freud Park ended in life-threatening danger for a 54-year-old. During a stabbing in which the victim was seriously injured on the night of July 30, the suspect denies the crime. The Public Prosecution Service is now investigating him for attempted murder – according to his legal representative Anita Schattner, “he just wanted to help a friend”.
Stitches after party in park
The suspect had apparently met a friend in front of the Votive Church; both were heavily drunk. At a later hour, the two are said to have danced to music with a group of young women and boys. The atmosphere would initially have been relaxed.
Until the tide turned: there was an argument between the 59-year-old’s friend and the 54-year-old, who was later seriously injured. The victim allegedly first attacked the suspect’s drinking buddy, after which the suspect came to his friend’s aid and pushed the 54-year-old into the woods with a headbutt.
The situation then escalated completely when the group of young witnesses described the events of the crime to the police. “I think the victim struck first,” said an official who was celebrating for the first time with his friends in the park in front of the Votive Church.
Four stab wounds in the chest area
‘Santa Claus’ – as the group of witnesses described him based on his appearance – then likely pulled his knife and stabbed the 54-year-old. A 23-year-old electrician recalled that he “wanted to prevent the victim who had been pushed into the bushes from attacking his opponent again.” That didn’t work, he was “quite aggressive”. That’s when the stab wounds happened. The 54-year-old was hit at least four times in the chest area.
A young doctor who happened to be nearby immediately provided first aid. Authorities praised the successful rescue chain as the seriously injured man was immediately taken to a nearby hospital and survived thanks to emergency surgery.
“I just wanted to help my friend”
The suspect protests his innocence. He just wanted to ‘help his friend’, but his strength left him during the violent confrontation. For this reason, he took out his pocket knife and stabbed him “reflexively”, because his opponent was not intimidated by the weapon. During questioning, the 59-year-old appeared remorseful. “I wasn’t thinking at the time,” he told police.
When asked why he had a knife in the first place, the man referred to his many years of work as a carriage driver. This person must always carry a knife, which is “a horse-drawn carriage tradition.” If a horse falls and becomes entangled in the harness, remove it quickly. You need a knife for this. Although he no longer had steady work, “I still feel a bit like a taxi driver,” the 59-year-old noted.
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.
