Fritzl Gets Life Sentence

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»

Police take new look at killing of teenage girl 20 years ago

(NEWSER) - The 73-year-old Austrian man who has confessed to fathering seven children by his imprisoned daughter is being investigated in connection with a 20-year-old murder case. Police say that a teenager assaulted and killed in 1986—near property owned by Fritzl's wife—bore an "incredible" resemblance to his daughter, reports the UK Times. More»

80-year-old raped, imprisoned daughters for 40 years: police

(NEWSER) - Kindling memories of the infamous Joseph Fritzl case , Austrian police have arrested a man on suspicion of raping and imprisoning his daughters for more than 40 years, the BBC reports. The 80-year-old denies wrongdoing, but authorities say one of his daughters fled during an attempted rape and reported his alleged crimes. Now 45 and 53, police say both daughters have "mental deficiencies." 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»