Josef Fritzl

Josef Fritzl goes on trial this week, the question is what justice might mean in the case of the 73-year-old Austrian who has confessed to imprisoning and repeatedly raping his daughter Elisabeth for 24 years, fathering seven children with her in a windowless dungeon beneath the family's home. "Whatever happens, happens," was Mr. Fritzl's response as the newborn grew sicker, the indictment alleges. Prosecutors said they based the murder charge largely on that statement.

Prosecutors said they based the murder charge on testimony from Mr. Fritzl's daughter, videos of which will be shown in court behind closed doors to an eight-member jury. They said Mr. Fritzl refused to take action "despite the baby's life-threatening situation" after the boy developed severe breathing problems and turned blue. "I consider a murder conviction rather unlikely," said Klaus Schwaighofer, who heads the University of Innsbruck's criminal law institute.

Mr. Fritzl's lawyer, Rudolf Mayer, said his client would plead guilty to most of the charges but dispute the murder and enslavement counts when the trial opens Monday in St. Pölten, west of Vienna. He also described the slavery accusation as "questionable." Some legal experts argue the prosecution's efforts to make a concrete case for murder will be complicated by the passage of time and the absence of forensic evidence. The police say Mr. Fritzl told them he burned the infant's body in a furnace after the baby died.

Elizabeth Fritzl

Elizabeth Fritzl and her children had endured in the cave of a basement where for 24 years she had been imprisoned by her father, Josef Fritzl. “I’m scared,” he whimpered as his trial began. He covered his face with a blue folder. His voice was almost inaudible as in the courtroom of St. Poelten, Austria he stated his name and other personal facts. He pled guilty to incest, but innocent of enslavement and murder. Neither his wife, Elizabeth nor any of the children will attend the trial. Their testimony will be given by pre-recorded video.

DNA tests have corroborated Elizabeth’s story that her father sired her six surviving children. She actually gave birth in that dungeon–alone–to seven children, but one of a set of twins suffered breathing problems and was allowed to die in that dank place. Fritzl is accused of tossing his tiny body into the furnace. During the early months of her imprisonment Elizabeth was chained like an animal; for years Josef did not say one word to her.

His trial will take only one week, ending on Friday. There is no question: He will spend the rest of his despicable life in prison. Since I learned of this horrendous story, I have prayed for Elizabeth and her children, and have written extensively of it. A video is here which comprehensively lays out this chilling story. Let us continue to pray for these hurting people.