Josef Fritzl found fit to stand trial

Published: Nov. 4, 2008 at 12:40 PM

AMSTETTEN , Austria, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Austrian authorities say Josef Fritzl has been found fit to stand trial for allegedly imprisoning his daughter and his incestuous children locked in a cellar.

Fritzl, 73, of Armsetten, is to be formally charged Friday now that psychiatrists have ruled he is mentally stable, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.

Fritzl allegedly has confessed to imprisoning Elisabeth, 42, in the cellar of their home or 24 years and fathering her seven children, the Telegraph reported. The crimes Fritzl is to be charged with will not be made public until Nov. 14.

Prosecutors have said Fritzl is certain to charged with incarceration for having kept his daughter and their children locked in the cellar, the Telegraph reported, noting that offense carries up to 10 years in prison.

Austrian law prohibits consecutive sentences, which means he would serve time for only the offense that carries the longest sentence, the Telegraph reported.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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