A 23-year-old man who allegedly killed his father with nine knife wounds was sentenced to twelve years in prison for manslaughter on Thursday in Ried. In addition, a previously granted conditional release was revoked, and the man was committed to a forensic-therapeutic center. The prosecution had argued for a murder conviction, while the defense claimed self-defense, stating the victim had fired gunshots before the stabbing. The verdict is not yet legally binding.
On January 19, 2024, the defendant was supposed to start a baker apprenticeship but was too intoxicated from drugs to work. His father, who was drunk, noticed this and scolded him. The argument escalated. The son allegedly slapped his father, who then retrieved a rifle and fired two shots into the wall or the air. The then-22-year-old grabbed a knife and stabbed his 59-year-old father nine times, fatally wounding him. During the trial, the charges were expanded to include intentionally causing serious bodily harm. The young man also admitted to assaulting a fellow inmate during pre-trial detention, hitting him with a metal pipe on the head and leg, causing serious injury.
Personality Disorder Since Adolescence
Until the age of 14, everything had reportedly been normal for the defendant. But then he started using drugs, failed to enter the workforce, and was convicted multiple times for drug-related crimes. Psychiatrist Adelheid Kastner told the jury that during puberty he developed a “personality disorder with narcissistic traits.” He always had a justification for his actions and blamed others for his behavior.
At the time of the killing, however, the young man was fully sane, Kastner testified. He could clearly recall and explain the events, and reacted quickly. She warned that he could attack, rob, or injure others in the future if given the chance, though she did not formally recommend psychiatric commitment.
Commitment Was Still Expected
Despite this, commitment was widely anticipated. The prosecutor argued in his closing statement that the accused intended to kill his father and posed an ongoing threat to society. He rejected the claim of self-defense, stating the father’s gunshots were warning shots. The prosecution requested a murder conviction and placement in a forensic-therapeutic facility.
The defense agreed that the defendant would likely be institutionalized indefinitely but pushed for acquittal on the murder charge, arguing the father had fired a Kalashnikov at people, clearly establishing self-defense. The defendant fully admitted to the assault on his cellmate.
Verdict Not Final
The jury found the defendant guilty of manslaughter by a 7:1 vote. They did not accept the self-defense argument but ruled the defendant fully accountable for his actions. The court considered his partial confession as a mitigating factor, while his prior convictions counted against him. The revoked conditional release will be enforced, and the inmate he assaulted will receive €1,000 in damages. Neither the prosecution nor defense issued a statement. The verdict is not yet final.
