Verdict: Attempted murder

13 years in prison after crime with broken wine glass

The crime took place on the night of November 3 in front of the well-known Watzmann restaurant in Salzburg. At the trial on Thursday in the regional court, the accused denied intent to kill.(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

For the second time, a man from Flachgau (28) had to face the jury, and for the second time they decided on attempted murder. Only the amount of the sentence changed. The verdict is not final.

The defendant already has six previous convictions. He was on probation on November 3, 2022, when the bloody deed took place in front of the well-known Salzburg restaurant Watzmann: a cut with a broken wine glass and a 15-centimetre-long wound on the victim's neck. The jury found attempted murder at the first trial in the regional court at the end of May.

Second trial after judicial error
However, the court made a mistake that led to the verdict being overturned: "It is not possible for someone to commit attempted murder and coercion at the same time," defense lawyer Leopold Hirsch recalled the faux pas at the second trial on Thursday. Nothing has changed in terms of his client's responsibility: "He is sorry, he regrets it and is guilty of coercion and assault."

The prosecutor, on the other hand, spoke of attempted murder. The criminal local cannot remember the crime exactly: he actually wanted to knock the victim's cell phone away because the victim had allegedly named him to the police, the 28-year-old explained. The bloody injury is said to have happened in the process. "I've been asking myself ever since: Why didn't I act differently?" The jury once again unanimously decided on attempted murder. Only the sentence was reduced: instead of 15, it is now 13 years in prison, not legally binding.

The court awarded the victim, represented by lawyer Stefan Rieder, 5000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering.