20 and 14 years

Boy (12) tortured in cage: jury deliberates

The accused mother before the verdict at Krems District Court.(Bild: Anja Richter)

Sentencing in Krems Regional Court for the Lower Austrian mother who tortured her son (12) almost to death in a dog crate and her co-accused "instigator". The jury answered the first main question of whether the first defendant had attempted murder with a 7:1 "yes". The mother of the child receives 20 years imprisonment, the second defendant 14 years imprisonment. Both are placed in a forensic-therapeutic center. Not legally binding.

Although they did not look at each other during the trial, the two accused women sat next to each other in the dock in identical postures for three days of the trial: right leg crossed over the left, hands clasped, their eyes fixed on Judge Monika Fasching-Lattus.

The accused mother before the verdict at Krems District Court.(Bild: Anja Richter)

Crying fits "not out of remorse"
While the second-accused mother of four (40) repeatedly lapses into fits of crying, the 33-year-old direct perpetrator shows no emotion. "The outbursts of tears are not out of remorse. The tears are due to the fear of consequences," victim's lawyer Timo Ruisinger reprimands the accomplice in his closing statement.

(Bild: zVg)

Once again, public prosecutor Anna Weißenböck summarizes the terrible crime: "The two women tortured a 12-year-old child almost to death in 2022. They destroyed Gerhard (name changed), at least mentally."

The two women tortured a 12-year-old child almost to death in 2022. They destroyed Gerhard, at least mentally.

Anna Weißenböck, Staatsanwältin. Hinweis: Name geändert.

Before the jury retired to deliberate on the verdict on the third day of the trial, court psychiatrist Peter Hofmann had his say - his comments are a key moment in the trial. Because the two defendants at Krems District Court were unable to answer the question "Why?".

Expert witness Hofmann: "Deeply sadistic elements"
Her mentally abnormal child was a "huge challenge" for the first defendant, says Hofmann. When the woman met the second defendant after the death of her mother in 2019, she became "deeply dependent" on her. "My client was in bondage to her," says defense lawyer Astrid Wagner.

If the first defendant was manipulated by her "soulmate" in this way and instructed by her to commit the terrible acts, then this was based on a "lust for power with deep sadistic elements", Hofmann explains. The experienced psychiatric expert speaks of a "monstrous crime" and "psychological abysses".

Astrid Wagner and Sascha Flatz are on duty as defense lawyers.(Bild: Anja Richter)

"This was continued torture," says psychiatrist Peter Hofmann - pictured with defense lawyer Astrid Wagner.(Bild: Anja Richter)

"I think the first defendant was in love with my client and blamed Gerhard for the fact that it didn't work out. That's why she hated the child," says Sascha Flatz, the mother-of-four's defense lawyer, with conviction.

I think the first defendant was in love with my client and blamed Gerhard for the fact that it didn't work out.

Sascha Flatz, Verteidiger

"I'm sorry for what happened," Gerhard's mother affirms on the day of the verdict. - "Nothing happened. You deliberately did something!" reacted the prosecutor indignantly. The jury retired at 3 pm. They deliberated for more than seven long hours. The mother of the child received a 20-year sentence, the second defendant a 14-year sentence. Both accept the sentences stoically. They are also placed in a forensic therapy center. Not legally binding. The boy is awarded 80,000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering.