- Leon case: murder trial in Innsbruck before the end
In the murder trial for the death of six-year-old Leon, closing arguments were presented at the Innsbruck Regional Court. The prosecution reaffirmed its conviction that the 39-year-old father had pushed his intellectually disabled child into a flood-swollen river in August 2022, causing his death.
The defense argued that errors had been made by investigators. During the trial, the lawyers for the accused pointed to a lack of motive, as the father loved his child. In his closing statement, the accused said that regardless of the jury's decision, there would be no happy ending for him or his family.
Jury Deliberations Begin
After the arguments, the eight jurors retired to deliberate on the guilt or innocence of the 39-year-old. A majority of jurors is required for a guilty verdict. The duration of deliberations is uncertain, as it can take several hours to reach a decision. Immediately before deliberations began, one juror was excluded due to bias and replaced. If a guilty verdict is reached, the jurors will join the three judges to determine the sentence.
Accused Stands by His Story
Throughout the three-day trial, the German defendant maintained his account of events. According to him, on the morning of August 28, 2022, he was walking with his son in a stroller along the river promenade in St. Johann in Tirol when he was attacked by a stranger and struck with a bottle, causing him to lose consciousness. During this time, his son got out of the stroller and fell into the river.
Mother Does Not Believe Father Capable of Murder
The child's mother testified as a witness in the trial. She stated that she did not believe her husband capable of committing a murder, describing him as a loving father to Leon in her emotional testimony.
Expert Reports Seem to Support Prosecution
Expert reports played a significant role in the trial. One expert suggested that the defendant's account was unlikely. The 39-year-old's head injuries were not severe enough to cause a prolonged loss of consciousness, the expert said.
The prosecution pointed to IT experts' findings that the alleged unknown attacker did not even attempt to unlock the defendant's phone. The smartphone was found in a nearby trash can and only had the defendant's fingerprints on it, according to an expert.
Life Imprisonment Threatens
The defendant must also answer to charges of suspected fraud in connection with a punishable act. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.
The prosecution argued that the father's actions amounted to a criminal act, as they led directly to his son's death. If found guilty, the defendant could face severe consequences, including a potential life sentence due to additional charges.
