Elisabeth fritzl father now trial#

The closed-door proceedings in St Pölten, 65km from Vienna, have prompted unhappy reactions from hundreds of international journalists in the town. Two engineers who have inspected Fritzl’s dungeon are expected to confirm prosecution claims that heavy doors into the cellar could only be opened by remote control and combination lock from the outside.Įlisabeth Fritzl’s brother Harald may also testify in video evidence that reportedly confirms her claims that their father first began sexually abusing her when she was just 11 years old. “Now he’s ashamed - 25 years too late,” the Heute newspaper said in a front page headline over a photo of Fritzl trying to shield himself from news cameras.The uncontested charges carry terms of up to 15 years, the two contested charges of enslavement and murder carry terms of 20 and life respectively.Īfter the eight-member jury finish hearing Elisabeth Fritzl’s evidence by tomorrow, the court will readmit the public and media for testimony from a paediatrician and a psychiatrist.

Elisabeth fritzl father now trial#

In this case, the withholding of Elisabeth’s name by the AP became impractical when her name and her father’s were announced publicly by police and details about them became the subject of publicity both in their home country and around the world.Īustrian media ridiculed Fritzl on Tuesday for hiding his face in court when the trial began Monday. The Associated Press normally withholds the names of victims of sexual assault. He did not elaborate, and it was unclear whether Fritzl had been in any danger. He said the visit was cut short after officials realized the man was trying to pursue “very personal” business with Fritzl. Poelten prison, told reporters that Fritzl had a mysterious visitor to his jail cell earlier this month who apparently posed as a real estate agent. “The facts are relatively clear … there can’t really be any surprises in a situation that has already been cleared up,” Mayer said.Ĭutka said a psychiatrist has been caring for Fritzl before and during the trial to ensure he does not attempt suicide.Įrich Huber-Guensthofer, deputy head of the St.

Three of the children grew up underground in Amstetten and the other three were brought upstairs to be raised by Fritzl and his wife, Rosemarie, who apparently believed they had been abandoned.Įlisabeth and her six surviving children, who range in age from six to 20, have spent months recovering from their ordeal in a psychiatric clinic and at a secret location.įritzl’s lawyer, Rudolf Mayer, said he did expect any surprises at the trial. Burkheiser said the rapes sometimes occurred in front of the children, and she described Elisabeth as a “broken” woman. In her opening statement Monday, prosecutor Christiane Burkheiser said Fritzl refused to speak to his daughter during the first few years of her ordeal, coming downstairs only to rape her. He said the jury was expected to start its deliberations Thursday morning and a verdict could come as early as Thursday afternoon. Reporters were not allowed into the courtroom Tuesday, but Cutka said they would be let in for part of Wednesday’s session.

Poelten, west of Vienna, for the second day of his trial. He faces up to 20 years behind bars if found guilty of enslavement, up to 15 for a rape conviction, and one year for an incest conviction.įritzl again hid his face behind a blue binder and stayed silent Tuesday as he was led into the court in St.

Fritzl could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of homicide.