Knife Dispute in Graz: Girlfriend Released After Stabbing Boyfriend
A dramatic courtroom scene unfolded in Graz as a Hungarian woman was sentenced to 21 months in prison for seriously injuring her boyfriend in a messy sleep apartment. Though initially charged with attempted murder, the jury ultimately found her guilty of causing grievous bodily harm. The ruling ultimately led to her immediate release, as she had already served her preset jail time.
A Night of Alcohol and Tension
The incident occurred on April 14th, leaving a trail of uncertainty in its wake. It’s clear both the woman and her partner had been consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Staggering blood-alcohol levels of around two per mille were found in both of them after the incident.
Witnesses described their relationship as tempestuous and fueled by jealousy. “It was quite common for them to argue like that. They are in love,” said the defendant’s son-in-law, who heard the altercation but didn’t directly witness the stabbing. “Both are crazy and jealous,” he added, aptly summarizing their volatile dynamic.
Conflicting Accounts and a Near-Fatal Wound
The crux of the case hinges on the conflicting accounts of the tragic evening.
The prosecution painted a picture of a violent attack, stating the woman launched a vicious assault, stabbing her boyfriend in the stomach with a kitchen knife. Expert testimony painted a grim picture, describing life-threatening injuries. Forensic pathologist Mario Darok revealed the knife had perforated the victim’s small intestine in four places, his abdominal cavity filled with nearly two liters of blood during emergency surgery.
The defense, however, presented a starkly different narrative. The woman vehemently denied intending to kill her boyfriend. Tears streaming down her face, she recounted her version of events. “I was holding the knife, he twisted my hand and jerked it towards him,” she sobbed, struggling to maintain her composure. “Yes, then stab me,” the victim supposedly said, according to her recollection.
Adding to the confusing mix was the victim’s inconsistent statements. When questioned by the police, he offered a vague “It could be” when asked if the woman had stabbed him. However, in a later conversation with the forensic doctor, he seemingly corroborated her account, stating that he had pulled her hand towards him during the struggle.
“It Cannot Be Ruled Out That It Was Like That”
The judge, tangled in a web of conflicting testimonials, appeared cautious. “Was she aggressive?” the judge pressed the son-in-law, who witnessed the aftermath.
“Yes, because she thought he was just playing,” he responded, adding another layer of complexity to the puzzling case.
Even the expert, while asserting the severity of the injuries, conceded, “It cannot be ruled out that it was like that,” acknowledging the possibility of the woman’s account holding some truth.
Justice Served?
The jury ultimately decided on a verdict of serious bodily harm, sparing the woman from the more severe charge of attempted murder.
A 21-month sentence was handed down, seven of them unconditional. Due to the pre-trial detention, she had already served the unconditional portion and was immediately released from custody after the trial.
The judgment, however, is not final and could face an appeal.
How did the woman’s time served awaiting trial impact her sentencing?
Let’s bring on our legal correspondent, Ms. Anna Schmidt, to break down this fascinating case from Graz. Anna, welcome back to the show.
**Anna Schmidt:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, this case in Graz had a very unusual outcome. A woman stabs her boyfriend, is initially charged with attempted murder but is ultimately released from custody. How is that possible?
**Anna Schmidt:** It’s a complex situation, but it boils down to a few key factors. First, the jury found her guilty of grievous bodily harm, a lesser charge than attempted murder. This suggests they may have had doubts about the intent behind the stabbing.
Second, and perhaps even more important, the woman had already served the 21-month prison sentence assigned to her while awaiting trial. This means her time served amounted to the length of her punishment, leading to her immediate release.
**Host:** From what we understand, the relationship between the pair was very turbulent. Alcohol played a part as well, right?
**Anna Schmidt:** Absolutely. Both individuals reportedly had extremely high blood alcohol levels at the time of the incident. This raises questions about the level of control and intent each possessed during the altercation.
**Host:** We heard conflicting accounts of what happened that night. Can you shed any light on those?
**Anna Schmidt:** The prosecution argued it was a vicious, premeditated attack. However, the defense may have presented a narrative suggesting the stabbing was accidental or occurred during a particularly heated argument fueled by alcohol. Ultimately, the jury sided with the lesser charge, believing there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove attempted murder.
**Host:** This is definitely a case that sparks a lot of questions about intent, the role of alcohol, and the complexities of the legal system. Ms. Schmidt, thank you for helping us unravel some of these complicated issues.
**Anna Schmidt:** My pleasure.
