Crashed Truck into Church: 32-Year-Old Pleads Guilty
The defendant was found guilty of, among other things, intentional public endangerment. Additionally, the Romanian was committed to a forensic-therapeutic center. The verdict of the jury is not legally binding.
The Romanian, who recently lived in Vienna, pleaded guilty in the jury trial. As a motive, the man cited an offense because he was not accepted into the religious community. "Of course, I am guilty. I am sorry. It was not planned for me to physically or psychologically harm anyone," said the Romanian. "I wanted to get to the church quickly and break the glass." The defense attorney described his client as a "very religious person for whom the church was the center of his life."
"Rampage" with Five Collisions
The 32-year-old is said to have caused five collisions, including injuries, on a "rampage" from Vienna-Liesing to Brunn am Gebirge on July 8 of the previous year. After the accidents, he continued on his way without stopping. The prosecutor spoke of an "exceptionally reckless driving style" of the accused. Two women reported to the police during questioning of "fear of death," and they suffered severe psychological consequences.
In Brunn am Gebirge, he is said to have repeatedly driven a truck in reverse at full speed into the church building. The truck crashed into the entrance area and the glass exterior wall. Subsequently, the man allowed himself to be arrested without resistance. The building sustained damage of around 825,000 euros. "We have forgiven him and wish him all the best," said the 38-year-old pastor, who was conducting a marriage preparation meeting with a couple in an office on the ground floor at the time of the crime.
Expert: "Bomb" Dormant in the Defendant
Previously, the defendant is said to have torn a Bible in the church parking lot on May 22, 2024. On May 25 of the previous year, he allegedly posted comments during a livestream of a conference of the religious community, but he was acquitted of the charge of making dangerous threats.
Expert Manfred Walzl described the defendant as "extremely psychologically conspicuous." The 32-year-old suffers from a personality disorder but is deemed accountable. There is a "bomb" dormant within the man, said the expert. "It was de facto already the beginning of a rampage," Walzl stated. The defendant has learned nothing from his previous convictions, does not feel ill, and refuses medication. Outside the church community, the accused has never had friends, said psychological expert Anita Raiger. After a series of serious offenses - the defendant had already served a prison sentence in Germany for attempted manslaughter - she saw a very high risk of recidivism.
Offense Related to Religious Community Already in 2022
The defendant was also found guilty of endangering physical safety, partly serious bodily harm, dangerous threats, partly serious coercion, and serious property damage. The private parties involved - including an insurance company and a victim - were awarded a total of almost 40,000 euros. The defendant filed an appeal, and the public prosecutor's office made no statement. Thus, the verdict is not legally binding.
Already in 2022, the defendant was convicted of an offense related to a facility of the religious community. He was found guilty of threatening a man in St. Pölten and destroying glass panes with a telescopic baton.
(APA/Red)
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