Shot in the head in Lower Austria
33-year-old shot dead: Daughter had to watch
They had just returned from a family outing when the accused (35) intercepted his ex-partner. He suddenly shot her in the head at close range - just a few centimeters away. Their daughter, who was only nine years old, had to witness the bloody deed against her mother. The jury found that life imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence. Not legally binding.
The relationship had already been characterized by violence for months, and even a restraining order could not change that. The whole thing finally came to a bloody end on October 21 of the previous year: the 35-year-old shot his former partner in the head at close range - all help came too late. "That's why there is only one punishment for me, the full force of the law," demands victim representative Peter Philipp. And the jury saw it that way too.
"Our life really was a dream"
The 33-year-old first spoke of separating from her partner back in April 2022. But they got back together. "We couldn't stand it, our separation. Our life really was a dream. We had everything, especially love," the Bosnian-born man told the Korneuburg Regional Court. His defense lawyer Astrid Wagner also speaks of a thoroughly positive relationship: "In the beginning it was wonderful and harmonious. After all, they have four children. That is a sign of great love."
However, a quarrel with the parents-in-law caused the relationship to break down, and two months before the murder, the mother of four was violently assaulted for the first time. The 35-year-old is said to have beaten his partner with his fists. This is also a matter of fact in the trial - he denies it.
Just like the intent to kill in front of the police. During the preliminary proceedings, he constantly claimed that he had only wanted to injure his ex-partner - when he shot at her head from a maximum distance of 50 centimetres ... But the public prosecutor spoke the sad truth: "He robbed four children of their mother!"
Weapon bought at Praterstern one day before the bloody deed
In the jury court, however, lawyer Wagner announces: Her client would plead guilty to murder. "But he is not an aggressive person. He is not a cold-blooded murderer. The ground has been pulled out from under his feet by the separation." Family is the most important thing in the world for the 35-year-old. "He was completely convinced it was over and his family was gone. He must never see his children again."
That's why he got himself a gun on October 20: "Out of fear and loneliness. I bought it for myself, for my safety." - "Nonsense!", the presiding judge accused him. He bought the gun for 700 euros at Vienna's Praterstern.
No confession of responsibility
However, not much remains of the announced confession. The accused spoke of much love, great affection - for their children and also for his ex-partner. When the presiding judge comes to the day of the crime, he simply says quietly: "Let's not talk about it. It's the way it's written. I really can't say it."
Then his responsibility turns again: "I really just wanted to shoot her in the back." - The judge: "But you wanted to kill her?" - "No, I just wanted to hurt her." Even his defense lawyer tries to rebuke him in a sharp tone, to get the promised admission of guilt. "So he's not confessing", victim representative Philipp finally states.
Did you notice that your nine-year-old daughter is present? Have you thought about what it does to the child if she is present when her father shoots her mother?
Die vorsitzende Richterin im Landesgericht Korneuburg
The lawyer represents the family of the 33-year-old who was killed. A gruesome detail: "Did you realize that your nine-year-old daughter was present? Were you aware that your niece and nephew were still in the car? Or that your mother-in-law was in the immediate vicinity? Did you think about what it would do to the child if she was present when her father shot her mother?" the judge asked the 35-year-old - rather rhetorically.
One after the other, the presiding judge also tries - he bursts out: "Stop describing the crime as if it was an unfortunate accident!" -, the public prosecutor and the defense lawyer also tried to coax a confession out of the Bosnian-born man. After an interrogation by the victim's representative and the defense attorney, the man finally whispers: "Yes, I am guilty."
Defendant needed a stab protection vest at the trial
The victim's relatives present are particularly pleased about the life sentence. There had been an argument between them and the now not legally convicted murderer during the contradictory questioning of the nine-year-old daughter. This is why the Korneuburg Provincial Court is lined with judicial guards, the WEGA and other police officers - the security precautions were greatly increased. The 35-year-old even wore a stab protection vest during his trial.
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