Trial in Feldkirch

Defendant wanted to bribe witness

Following a trial against a tradesman, the former plaintiff has now become a defendant herself. On Tuesday, she had to answer to the Feldkirch Regional Court. 

A 52-year-old woman from Oberland had to answer for attempted incitement to make false statements and attempted fraud on Tuesday. In connection with a civil case against a tradesman, the woman, who has no criminal record to date, had tried several times over the past two years to bribe a witness with money so that she would give false evidence in court.

During the trial, the woman was supposed to claim that the defendant had paid the tradesman 5,000 euros for the - as a commissioned expert later determined - defective renovation of her bathroom. Because the 52-year-old woman had untruthfully claimed in the civil proceedings that she had given the tradesman 3,000 euros as a down payment at the time, she now also has to answer for attempted trial fraud.

If I didn't do what he said, he became violent. I just didn't know what to do.

Die Angeklagte vor Gericht

Just following the husband's instructions?
At the trial on Tuesday, the woman pleaded guilty to the charges. However, her husband at the time was to blame for her actions. "If I didn't do what he said, he became violent. I simply didn't know what to do."

Because the woman has no criminal record and has confessed, Judge Alexander Wehinger ultimately refrains from imposing a prison sentence. The sentence, which is not legally binding, is a fine of 1,200 euros. Payment in installments was granted.