
A trial began Tuesday at the Korneuburg Regional Court for a 32-year-old woman accused of two attempted murders involving her former partner in 2022. The case, scheduled to last five days, has drawn significant media attention. The accused allegedly attempted to poison her then-partner with methanol, leading to his near-blindness, and later gave him sedative-laced muffins before inflicting cuts on his arm. Although she admitted partial guilt, the woman denied the charges of attempted murder.
According to prosecutors, on July 8, 2022, the woman gave her partner a drink containing methanol and psilocybin mushrooms during a gathering in Gänserndorf. The 42-year-old man experienced methanol poisoning, resulting in near blindness, and was only saved through emergency medical intervention, including blood cleansing. In the opening statement, the prosecutor described her alleged actions as “almost uniquely manipulative and cold-blooded.” The accused, however, claimed ignorance, stating, “If I had known, I would not have served it,” expressing remorse for his injuries.
Second Alleged Attempt and Self-Staged Attack
A second alleged murder attempt occurred on November 3, 2022, when the man was hospitalized after consuming muffins and tablets containing Rohypnol and Sirdalud. The accused claimed it was a suicide attempt following her announcement of ending their relationship. Prosecutors argue she inflicted the wounds herself, with the injuries narrowly missing vital arteries, allowing for his survival through prompt medical care. Motive is suspected to be linked to the man’s will, which designated her as the sole heir to a €3 million estate.
In May 2023, the woman claimed to have been stabbed by her ex-partner, but a subsequent investigation revealed inconsistencies. Medical experts determined he was unlikely to have attacked her due to his impaired vision. She allegedly inflicted the wounds on herself to fabricate the attack, later admitting it was “a foolish act out of desperation.” Additional charges include false testimony to authorities, instructing others to lie on her behalf, and defaming multiple individuals to cover up her actions.
Defense and Mental Health Considerations
Defense attorney Sascha Flatz argued that his client did not intend to kill her partner, emphasizing that in both instances she initiated emergency assistance. He dismissed financial motivation, stating she was not in a position of financial desperation. A court-ordered psychological evaluation identified a personality disorder but affirmed her legal accountability. The prosecution has requested both a sentence and psychiatric treatment in a forensic-therapeutic center.
The trial is set to continue on Wednesday and Thursday, with additional sessions on November 12 and a verdict anticipated on November 13.