Fatal Punch at Westbahnhof: Trial in Vienna Postponed

A 40-year-old man, previously convicted eleven times and originally from Somalia, is alleged to have hit an acquaintance on the head with a beer can at Westbahnhof on August 19, 2024, during a dispute. After being hit by the Moroccan with a beer can, he is said to have delivered a powerful punch to the face.

Man No Longer Alive

As a result, the 29-year-old fell backwards to the ground and hit his head on the asphalt, leading to a bleed in the arachnoid space of the brain. The quickly alerted rescue workers attended to the unconscious man. "He was unresponsive and showed no vital signs. However, they initially managed to resuscitate him," reported the prosecutor. Regardless, the 29-year-old died in a hospital on August 22 due to oxygen deprivation to the brain caused by the fall.

The defendant now had to answer for bodily harm resulting in death (§ 86 StGB) and, in addition, for three other serious bodily injuries before a jury court. Between June 21 and August 11, according to the indictment, he attacked three other men, hitting them on the head with a glass bottle in two cases and in the third case punching the victim in the face and then throwing him to the ground by the hip. "He has a massive propensity for violence," emphasized the prosecutor, referring also to the man's criminal record, which consists mainly of bodily injuries and thefts.

Adjournment of Trial in Vienna

The 40-year-old admitted to two of the three non-lethal attacks. Regarding the main charge, however, the man, represented by defense attorneys Sebastian Lesigang and Andreas Schweitzer, assured that he did not commit the act, but "an Arab," with whom the 29-year-old had gotten into a physical altercation. He had only consumed cocaine with the Moroccan, but then left the forecourt of Westbahnhof. He claimed he could not be the perpetrator because he had been friends with the deceased man. When he found him lying on the ground, he tried to revive him by pouring the contents of a water bottle over his face. He also called for an ambulance.

The trial was adjourned for the examination of further witnesses and additional evidence. The trial will continue on April 22.

(APA/Red)

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