A single child's - Process begins for death of a six-year-old in Austria
Under great media interest, the murder trial of a six-year-old child's death began in Austria. Before the Landgericht Innsbruck, the 39-year-old father of the boy is charged. He is accused of pushing his intellectually disabled child into a flood-leading river in St. Johann in Tirol in August 2022, according to the prosecution. The child was found drowned in the Kitzbüheler Ache. The accused denies the crime and claims himself to be a victim of a crime.
According to the prosecution, the father's version is not credible. The man from Germany stated that he was robbed and knocked unconscious with a bottle while on a walk with his child. In this time, his son must have climbed out of the stroller and fallen into the river.
During the investigation, several expert reports were obtained and 100 DNA traces were analyzed. In particular, it was checked which mobile phones were logged to the crime scene at the time.
From the defense's perspective, there is no motive for a murder, as the father had a loving relationship with his son. In addition, the investigations were inadequate, stated the defendant's lawyer shortly before the start of the three-day trial. During this time, numerous witnesses are expected to testify.
- The media interest in the criminals' background and previous records increased significantly after the Start of the process in Austria.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Innsbruck is closely monitoring similar cases of criminality in neighboring regions like Tyrol and Germany.
- The absence of any traces of struggle or resistance in the river contradicts the father's story of being robbed and knocked unconscious, as reported by the media.
- To ensure a fair trial, the court in St. Johann has requested assistance from the German police to gather additional evidence related to the alleged robbery in their investigation.
- The death of the child has raised concerns about public safety in Austria, especially in light of recent floods that have affected various areas, including Innsbruck and other parts of Tyrol.
