Elisabeth Fritzl, Children Leave Hospital

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»

(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»

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»

Incest dad found guilty on all charges

(NEWSER) - Austrian incest dad Josef Fritzl has been found guilty on all charges and sentenced to life in a secure psychiatric facility, the BBC reports. Jurors found Fritzl guilty on charges that included rape, incest, murder, and enslavement after he locked his daughter in a cellar for 24 years, raped her more than 3000 times, and fathered her seven children. Fritzl said he wouldn’t appeal. A court doctor recommended he be kept in the psychiatric facility. More»

(NEWSER) - An intriguing report has surfaced in the aftermath of Josef Fritzl’s surprise guilty plea, the Times of London reports. Though unconfirmed by lawyers on both sides, various outlets say Fritzl’s daughter, Elisabeth, secretly attended much of the Austrian court proceedings. In fact, one source says her presence may have so unnerved her father he decided to admit to all charges. Fritzl faces life in prison at sentencing tomorrow. More»