Knife Attack in Vienna Law Firm: Man Not Responsible

The man who stabbed and critically injured an employee in a law firm in Vienna-Landstraße on February 3, 2025, was deemed legally insane at the time of the crime and therefore not culpable. This conclusion was reached by a psychiatric report obtained by the Vienna public prosecutor's office. According to the expert opinion, the 53-year-old acted under the influence of pronounced paranoid schizophrenia.

Request for Placement

Due to the established reason for excluding culpability, the man could not be charged with attempted murder. Instead, the public prosecutor's office has requested - under Section 21, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code - the indefinite placement of the man in a forensic-therapeutic center. Due to his severe and persistent mental disorder, which was significant for the crime, the prosecution fears that further criminal acts with serious consequences are to be expected in the foreseeable future if the 53-year-old is not placed in preventive detention and therapeutically treated.

Woman Survived Knife Attack in Vienna Law Firm

As confirmed by the spokesperson for the regional court, Christina Salzborn, to the APA, the hearing on the placement request will take place on July 10 in the Grauen Haus. That the 56-year-old woman who was stabbed survived the knife attack is almost a miracle. The man inflicted a stab wound on her face, ten stab wounds on her chest and abdomen, and five more on her arms and legs.

The 53-year-old had been a client of the law firm under adult representation since August 2024. On February 3, he was supposed to receive a cash payout. Originally, an attempt was made to set up a so-called everyday account for the mentally conspicuous man to enable him more autonomy. However, this did not work because he could only present a copy of an expired passport. As an alternative solution, weekly cash payouts were arranged.

Man Returned Disguised

However, there were discrepancies during the appointment on February 3. The 53-year-old wanted 400 euros, but he was only granted half the amount. He then left but returned in the afternoon disguised and stabbed the 56-year-old in the stairwell after knocking her to the ground with a punch. He then fled. He was arrested later that evening.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.