Trial for the murder of Jennifer Scharinger begins at the Vienna Regional Court

For the family and the closest circle of the deceased, the start of the trial after more than eight years means another confrontation with what happened. Jennifer Scharinger was a student of law in the middle of a phase of life in which many plans were still open.

Background of the crime

The crime attracted attention far beyond the district of Zwettl in January 2018. The discovery of the body at the Allentsteig military training area connected a rural area with a capital crime that is still considered one of the sensational cases in Lower Austrian criminal history.

In the proceedings, in addition to the question of guilt, it will also have to be examined how the investigating authorities processed the case. The defense and the public prosecutor's office are expected to introduce expert opinions on the credibility of the confession and on criminal responsibility into the trial.

The jurors must ultimately decide on the precise legal classification. Possible outcomes are convictions for murder, which in Austria can result in a life imprisonment, or a different assessment of individual charges.

Legal classification and possible consequences

The start of the trial falls at a time when the judiciary in several European countries is discussing the duration of proceedings in serious crimes. Procedural economists and victim protection organizations regularly point to the burden of long waiting times for relatives of violence victims.

Legal representatives of the bereaved, including Andreas Schweitzer, who is appearing as a co-plaintiff, have announced that they will support the criminal complaint in full. Victim protection organizations are accompanying the family during the hearing days and have, according to their own statements, made preparations for the time after the verdict.

Role of victim protection organizations

The reporting on the trial is accompanied by several media, whereby in addition to the actual trial, the background, the confession, and the person of the defendant are also addressed. The Vienna Regional Court has announced an increased security presence for the first day of the trial.

Should the jury court reach a verdict, an appeal hearing before the Vienna Higher Regional Court is to be expected. Until a legally binding conclusion, further months may pass, during which the bereaved must continue to wait for a final legal endpoint.

Observers of the main trial expect that the defendant's confession will play a central role in the evaluation of evidence. At the same time, questions about the authenticity, voluntariness, and psychological state of the defendant at the time of the statement will be at the center.

The trial will be continued over several hearing days. Part of the sessions is open to the public, although the court will examine exclusions of the public in individual cases when personal rights or interests worthy of protection are affected.