Rehabilitation Facility After Attack on Father in Carinthia

A mentally ill, 33-year-old Carinthian will be placed not in a forensic therapeutic center, but in a psychiatric rehabilitation center after an attack on his father. The man, under the influence of paranoid schizophrenia, stabbed his father and severely injured him. The decision of the jury court at the Klagenfurt Regional Court was initially not legally binding.

The measure was justified with a positive report from the psychiatric expert. The expert had noted a significant improvement in the 33-year-old since he has been on new medication. Therefore, admission to a forensic therapeutic center was waived. However, a series of conditions were imposed for the stay in the rehab center, such as psychotherapy, ongoing medication, regular check-ups, and abstinence from alcohol or drugs.

Mother Provided First Aid After Attack

The incident occurred in the summer in the house where the 33-year-old lived with his parents. The man's father wanted to check on his son when he suddenly faced him with a knife in both hands. Without another word, he approached his father and stabbed him twice. One stab hit the man in the upper arm, and the second left the knife seven centimeters deep between the lung and liver. The 33-year-old left his father and went to his room, while the mother provided first aid until the rescue arrived.

"The (triggering, ed.) act, an attempted murder, tragically shows the severe consequences an untreated psychiatric illness can have," said prosecutor Sarah Ofner in her indictment. The affected person has been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia for 14 years and was also in treatment - but without lasting success. Years ago, the 33-year-old even traveled to Brazil on his own to be treated by a miracle healer, who has since been sentenced to a long prison term. The prosecutor stated that the affected person was not accountable at the time of the act, as he acted under the influence of delusions. Because he could commit further acts against life and limb, the prosecution requested that the 33-year-old be placed in a forensic therapeutic center.

He could no longer remember the act directly, the 33-year-old stated during the questioning by Judge Gernot Kugi, who presided over the jury court. However, shortly before, he had heard a voice telling him to take the knife: "The voice said: If someone comes, then stab, the being will disappear," the man testified in court. What happened was "tragic," but he is now feeling much better: "I have medication for the first time that helps me. I no longer hear voices." And he is also aware that he will probably have to take medication for the rest of his life.

Father: "I Still Like Him"

Visibly shaken, the father of the affected person recounted the incident. In conclusion, however, he defended his son: "He is the best guy there is when he doesn't have psychosis. I still like him." He could only hope now that he would be well accommodated. The forensic expert spoke of a "powerful stab" to the upper abdomen, the blade had penetrated the victim's body up to the hilt. There was "definitely a risk to life" in the short term, only by fortunate circumstances did no complications occur.

As early as 2010, the affected person had noticed changes, explained the forensic psychiatric expert who had examined the man. He had repeatedly been in inpatient treatment, but his condition had repeatedly deteriorated - these were phases in which he constantly heard voices. "On the day of the act, the affected person was in a highly psychotic state, in which he could not comprehend the criminality of the act," said the expert.

However, his condition has now significantly improved during detention through the administration of a depot medication that is effective for three to four weeks. This also makes it possible to replace a commitment "through milder means." There is already a commitment from a special therapy center in Carinthia. In return, however, judicial instructions are needed, such as participation in therapies and the unconditional continuation of medication. On his own, he would probably no longer follow instructions, the risk of relapse would be high: "His dangerousness would continue without intervention in his lifestyle." The illness itself was described as incurable but well treatable.

(APA/Red)

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