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Meth man on trial for stepfather murder

The trial began in Linz on Monday of a 37-year-old man who is accused of the murder of his stepfather while high on crystal meth.

Published: 23 June 2014 15:58 CEST
Meth man on trial for stepfather murder
Photo: APA/RUBRA

The alleged murder occurred in St. Thomas am Blasenstein, a municipality of the region of Perg in Upper Austria.

The 37-year-old man is accused of killing his 63-year-old stepfather in August last year, by beating him with various objects, and then finally crushing him with a wooden bench after a series of heated arguments.

The facts of the killing are not in dispute. In defence, the accused has claimed that he was insane at the time of the murder, as he was under the influence of crystal meth.

A prosecution witness claims that the defendant had in fact consumed fewer drugs than usual, and that the killing occurred as the result of a personality disorder.  A court-appointed psychiatrist has confirmed that the man needs treatment.

Based on an expert report, the defendant is considered to be a risk to others, and therefore the court has been asked by the prosecution to remand him to a specialist psychiatric unit for mentally abnormal offenders.

A verdict is expected on Friday.

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CRIME

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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