Gentle side

How criminal defense lawyer Mayer became an ox godfather

Defense lawyer Rudolf Mayer at the terror trial in Landl (left) and in his free time with godfather "Martin". He has been looking after the animal for six years.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Kristian Bissuti(2))

Rudolf Mayer has been representing serious criminals and murderers in court for decades and is considered to have a "particularly tough skin". Away from murder trials, the 76-year-old's heart beats for animals. For six years, especially for "Martin" the ox.

An unusual role for lawyer Rudolf Mayer on Monday in Vienna's Landl: he is representing an accomplice of IS man Lorenz K., who, according to the indictment, tried to incite people to carry out suicide attacks from the harbor. The closely guarded trial is adjourned until July 31 for the questioning of a witness.

I was so fascinated by him that I kept going back to see him.

Rudi Mayer über seinen Paten-Ochs

Kilos of apples
For almost half a century, Mayer has been seen in courtrooms alongside serious criminals. But when the 76-year-old takes off his lawyer's robe, the toughness with which he appears in court is wiped away. Mayer then packs kilos of chopped apples into a bucket and sets off for Hainbuch in the Vienna Woods (Lower Austria) - to his godfather "Martin": "Six years ago, I happened to drive past here. A naturally reared cow gave birth to a calf in the meadow. It fascinated me so much that I kept going back to check on 'Martin', as I christened the bull."

Rudi Mayer and his "Martin" in Hainbuch, Lower Austria.(Bild: KRISTIAN BISSUTI)

Animal saved from certain slaughter 
When the shy calf became trusting after a short time, animal lover Mayer took over the sponsorship of the brown and white spotted steer. And thus saved the animal from death, which would have been certain at the age of around one year. "Martin" answers to his name and comes running happily when the defense lawyer visits him. On the pasture, defense lawyer Mayer is surprisingly gentle: "I have a bond of love with 'Martin'. Even if it sounds old-fashioned."