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Fritzl Admits Rape, Denies Murder

He'll also respond to daughter's taped testimony

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Mar 16, 2009 6:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – Under the cloud of a media frenzy that required a no-fly zone, Josef Fritzl pleaded guilty today in an Austrian courthouse to rape and incest charges linked to the 24-year imprisonment of his daughter, the BBC reports. But the 74-year-old, who entered court with his face covered, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, enslavement, and assault—he has maintained that he locked up Elizabeth, then 18, to protect her from herself, and was to respond to her taped testimony detailing her horrifying captivity.

Fritzl is determined not to go down in history as a murderer and a madman, said his lawyer, and was to argue that he was a "good father." Elizabeth gave birth to seven of Fritzl's children in captivity, including a twin boy who died in infancy because Fritzl refused to obtain medical help, according to prosecutors. The trial begins today under extreme security precautions, including the imposition of a no-fly zone over the Austrian courthouse

An Austrian policeman unlocks the backyard entrance gate of the house that was the scene of a crime of incest and abuse in Amstetten, Lower Austria.
An Austrian policeman unlocks the backyard entrance gate of the house that was the scene of a crime of incest and abuse in Amstetten, Lower Austria.   (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)
Defendant Josef Fritzl covers his face prior to the start of his trial for incest on Monday, March 16, 2009, in St. Poelten, Austria.
Defendant Josef Fritzl covers his face prior to the start of his trial for incest on Monday, March 16, 2009, in St. Poelten, Austria.   (AP Photo/Helmut Fohringer, Pool)
Defendant Josef Fritzl covers his face prior to the start of his trial for incest on Monday, March 16, 2009, in St. Poelten, Austria.
Defendant Josef Fritzl covers his face prior to the start of his trial for incest on Monday, March 16, 2009, in St. Poelten, Austria.   (AP Photo/Helmut Fohringer, Pool)
Defendant Josef Fritzl covers his face prior to the start of his trial for incest on Monday, March 16, 2009, at the provincial courthouse in St. Poelten, Austria.
Defendant Josef Fritzl covers his face prior to the start of his trial for incest on Monday, March 16, 2009, at the provincial courthouse in St. Poelten, Austria.   (AP Photo/Helmut Fohringer, Pool)
Austrian artists Iris Stromberger, left, and Patrick Huber, right, perform in front of the court in St. Poelten, Austria, on Monday, March 16, 2009.
Austrian artists Iris Stromberger, left, and Patrick Huber, right, perform in front of the court in St. Poelten, Austria, on Monday, March 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Christof Stache)
A photo released by the Austrian police on April 28, 2008 shows a view into a hidden room in a house in Amstetten, Austria.
A photo released by the Austrian police on April 28, 2008 shows a view into a hidden room in a house in Amstetten, Austria.   (AP Photo/Police Niederoesterreich, HO, File)
Josef Fritzl.
Josef Fritzl.   (AP Photo/Police Niederoesterreich)
Detail of a poster painted by Fritzl's victimized family, which hangs in a window at the main square in Amstetten, Austria.
Detail of a poster painted by Fritzl's victimized family, which hangs in a window at the main square in Amstetten, Austria.   (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
A security man stands in front of the court St. Poelten, where Josef Fritzl will stand trial  in St Poelten, Austria, beginning today.
A security man stands in front of the court St. Poelten, where Josef Fritzl will stand trial in St Poelten, Austria, beginning today.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Rob
Mar 16, 2009 11:14 AM CDT
Agreed, Doctor.
Doctor-Zaius
Mar 16, 2009 11:01 AM CDT
...determined not to go down in history as a murderer and a madman...Too late. There is no amount of suffering that can be done to this man that would be too extreme.

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