Incredible videos are played in the Vienna Regional Court: a 29-year-old attacks two people with a carpenter’s hammer – a woman falls unconscious to the ground, a man tries to defend himself, covered in blood. The suspect strikes again. The young Serb is now before a jury for the double murder attempt.
“I am happy and surprised at how well you are doing,” forensic pathologist Nikolaus Klupp told the witness in the Wiener Landl. Which, considering the brutal attack on the 43-year-old, borders on a miracle. Scars on her face, speech limitations and balance problems constantly remind her of the night of July 16, 2024 on Vienna’s Meiselmarkt.
Hammer blows to the skull
She regularly cared for the homeless there, brought them food and chatted with them. Even on the fatal night of the crime. Completely out of nowhere, she and an acquaintance were attacked by a Serb with a carpenter’s hammer. First, the 29-year-old punched the woman at least three times, then turned on the man and punched him in the face.
Shocking videos show bloodshed
When he was already bleeding profusely on the ground, the suspect pulled him up again – and hit him again. The horror scenes were captured on videos that left the judges and listeners cringing. However, the 29-year-old does not seem to be impressed by the recordings. He sticks to his version: “They started hitting and threatening me. “I did it emotionally” – he was just defending himself…
A responsibility that particularly frightens the examining magistrate: “Have you seen the same videos as us?” she asks, shaking her head. ‘It’s on the floor. You teased him and hit him again. Where should the threatening situation have occurred? Self-defense ends when the attack is over.” Shrugging from the Serb: “I just wasn’t in my right mind.”
Alcoholic, but healthy
The lawyer emphasizes that her client is a serious alcoholic and has also been using drugs for some time. “This makes him increasingly aggressive and unpredictable,” the lawyer said. Furthermore: “He did not believe that it was possible that the victims would die as a result of a blow with the hammer.” According to forensic psychiatrist Peter Hofmann, he was certainly mentally healthy at the time of the crime.
But that’s exactly what almost happened. The homeless man suffered a skull fracture and the woman has already had to undergo two operations. Not to mention the psychological consequences: “I always enjoyed helping people. Now when I’m in a crowd, I’m like a little mouse that wants to hide. When it’s dark, I don’t go outside at all.” The 43-year-old can no longer think about his work. She even needs help around the house.
The next process is already coming
The 29-year-old now faces a life sentence for two counts of attempted murder. A ruling is expected in the late afternoon after witness hearings and reports. At the same time, proceedings are also underway against him due to another incident: it concerns serious physical injuries with lasting consequences and severe coercion.
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.
