"This is a disgrace"

Violent threat to own sister over fear of inheritance

The 35-year-old Viennese is convicted of dangerous threats and coercion.

(Bild: Pratschner Sophie, Krone KREATIV)

The phone call that brought a 35-year-old man before the Vienna jury court lasted just a few minutes. In addition to unspeakable threats and insults against his own sister, he also shouted "Heil Hitler". The unparalleled rant frightened the 43-year-old so much that she did not even dare to attend her father's funeral.

The jurors and trial observers repeatedly grimace, while the defendant is visibly embarrassed when the approximately 10-minute phone call to his sister is played. Which has now brought him before a jury court in Vienna. In addition to the offenses of dangerous threats and coercion, he also violated the Prohibition Act during his screaming tirade. 

Desert threats shortly before Christmas
Completely contrary to his actual character, the 35-year-old tried to convince the judge. "Unfortunately, I drank a lot during that time. I knew that day that my dad was going to die. My most important person. My one and only." That's why he blew his fuses on December 22, 2023. The Viennese man called his older sister, insulted her savagely and threatened to harm her and her husband. He would rape the daughter - his niece - the accused shouted into the phone.

They are described by those around them as unemployed, gambling addicts and drug addicts.

Richter Wolfgang Etl im Landesgericht Wien

"I am ashamed of everything. It's a disgrace," the 35-year-old pleads guilty. But then again, such behavior is probably not that atypical for the man. "You are described by those around you as an unemployed, gambling-addicted and drug-addicted alcoholic," says judge Wolfgang Etl. His three previous convictions for drug possession, continued violence, stalking and assault also fit into this picture. 

Impending inheritance sparked a dispute
The sister, who is eight years older, does not want to meet her brother in court; he is waiting in the next room. The woman also reports constant arguments: "He's always been the problem child. I hadn't had any contact with him for two or three years. And then a phone call came out of nowhere. I think he was only interested in our father's inheritance." And the defendant also admitted that he was afraid his sister would embezzle something from him. 

Unfounded, because there wasn't much to inherit. However, the 35-year-old achieved one thing with his wild insults and threats of violence: his sister did not dare to attend their father's funeral. And avoided leaving the house in other ways too. "I'm very scared of him. I know what he did to my parents, that he was verbally and physically violent." 

Reoffense is dismissed
He now has to sit in front of the jury because he also shouted "Heil Hitler" several times during the 10-minute phone call and made the statement: "Hitler should f... your family". According to the Viennese, however, this had nothing to do with glorifying National Socialism - "I was in a rage ..." The lay judges agree. Wiener is acquitted of the charge of reactivation. He is sentenced to seven months on the other charges, two of them in prison - not legally binding.