Stabbing his wife: murder trial in Wels

A 66-year-old pensioner will have to stand trial next Thursday in the jury room of the Wels regional court for attempted murder. In October of the previous year he is said to have attacked his wife in their shared apartment in Laakirchen with a kitchen knife, causing serious injuries. There had previously been a family dispute there.

• From the archive: 66-year-old stabbed his wife in Laakirchen

According to the prosecution, the victim suffered five stab wounds in the chest and shoulder area, one of which opened the victim’s left chest cavity. These were potentially life-threatening injuries. The 60-year-old fought back vigorously and was ultimately able to fend off her husband and take the kitchen knife from him. The man has been in custody ever since.

As the police reported at the time, the bloody crime occurred on the morning of October 31st. The trigger may have been a conflict between the alleged perpetrator and his father-in-law. His wife asked him to settle this argument, otherwise he would have to leave the apartment.

He is said to have threatened suicide and swallowed 30 tablets. Then he went into the kitchen and got a knife.

Brother called rescue

The 60-year-old was able to call her brother for help, who alerted the rescue team. The alleged perpetrator was taken to a hospital because he took the pills, and his wife had to undergo surgery in a hospital.

If convicted of attempted murder, the defendant faces a prison sentence of ten to 20 years or life. The defendant initially only admitted that he had stabbed his wife a few times, but that he only wanted to hurt her and not kill her. The accused has now also admitted the intention to kill, a spokesman for the regional court said upon request.