Dungeon Daughter 'Not Prepared' to Testify

Will be held on camera; press faces jail for reporting

(NEWSER) - The judge in Josef Fritzl’s incest trial kicked press and the public out of the court today ahead of Elisabeth Fritzl’s video testimony in a move to protect her identity, the Guardian reports. Her recorded evidence is being played “in small portions,” a court official said, because it is reportedly excruciating to watch. Four backup jurors are available if matters prove too painful for the eight current ones. More»

(NEWSER) - Elisabeth Fritzl has “renewed strength” after beginning a relationship with her bodyguard, the Telegraph reports. Fritzl, 42, was held captive in an Austrian cellar and raped by her father, Josef, for 24 years; she and her six children by her father are now under police protection. “They are a couple,” a source said. “Everyone saw from the beginning how secure she felt with him.” More»

Daughter's testimony convinced him to confess, incest dad says

(NEWSER) - Josef Fritzl describes intense feelings of remorse in the first interview since his trial, the Telegraph reports. Fritzl, who abruptly switched his plea to guilty in the middle of the proceedings, said his decision was prompted by hearing his daughter describe in court how he imprisoned and habitually raped her: “After that, I want only the hardest punishment.” More»

He'll have color TV, computer and maybe a pet in unit of Viennese hospital

(NEWSER) - Austrian monster dad Josef Fritzl will spend his days in far plusher accommodations than his daughter, who was repeatedly raped in her cellar prison for 24 years. Fritzl has been sentenced to life and remanded to a secure psychiatric unit of a Viennese hospital because of what the judge called his "abnormality of mind." He'll have a cell to himself equipped with a bed, shower, color TV and computer—and will even be allowed a pet, reports the Daily Telegraph. More»

Jury to decide case today

(NEWSER) - Monster dad Josef Fritzl apologized "from the bottom of my heart" today for keeping his daughter locked in a cellar as a sex slave for 24 years, then added: "I can't go back and change it." Fritzl, 73, made his remarks as an Austrian jury was about to decide his fate. A verdict and sentencing are expected later today. Prosecutors called for the maximum life sentence for Fritzl in their closing remarks, CNN reports. More»