David Caruso - Austrian Crime Blog Confirms Trial Details

Dr. Wilfried Siegle, spokesman for Innsbruck's public prosecutor's office, has confirmed that Heidemarie Schnitzer will appear in Court on April 14, 2009 beginning promptly at 8:30 a.m at Innsbruck's Hall 111 for anyone wishing to attend next week's highly anticipated David Caruso stalker trial. The proceedings will be open to the public and will last approximately two hours. Prosecutors will present evidence to Judge Guenther Boehler showing Schnitzer stalked and threatened to murder David Caruso, Greta Caruso and Liza Marquez. Each charge carries a maximum three-year sentence.

In a phone interview with Dr. Karin Treichl, Schnitzer's court-appointed psychiatrist, Treichl indicated she will not be conducting any additional evaluations of Schnitzer prior to trial and contrary to previously published reports. Dr. Treichl's 2007 psychological evaluation which diagnosed Schnitzer with "profound personality disorder with the potential for turning dangerous" will be presented to Judge Boehler and used as a foundation for the final judgment.

After reviewing the evidence, Judge Boehler will announce his findings. According to Dr. Siegle, Judge Boehler will pronounce sentence the same day. This will be the final disposition of the case against Schnitzer barring any appeals. A week from tomorrow those of us who have followed this deranged woman for nearly two years will finally know her fate.

The Stalker Chronicles wishes to express a deep debt of gratitude to Austrian crime blogger Marcus J. Oswald for providing us information about Schnitzer's upcoming date with justice. Mr. Oswald has also updated his blog on this story and furnished us with the above pages detailing Austrian trial procedure. Thank you Marcus.

David Caruso - Schnitzer's Capture Must Be a Two-Fisted Approach

On October 28, 2008, Austria's Judge Guenther Boehler took the necessary steps to bring Heidemarie Schnitzer's capture a thing of reality by modifying his previously issued warrant for the stalker's arrest. With a new warrant in place, tracking down Schnitzer took on an international significance and a global manhunt ensued. Although most experts agree that Schnitzer remains in hiding on Mexico's Baja peninsula, the Mexican government has been moving on this matter more slowly than first thought. Extensive international cooperation is therefore needed to avert a tragedy when Schnitzer turns deadly and follows through with her threats against Caruso and Latin Americans.

It's high time for both Mexico and Austria to coordinate forces and share information in an all out effort to bring closure to this matter. Issuing an international warrant in and of itself is nothing more than window dressing. Without any follow-up on the part of Innsbruck's Provincial Court, why would Mexico feel any sense of urgency to expend resources to capture Schnitzer?

Dr. Maria Berger, Austria's Minister of Justice has proposed stricter laws for those charged and convicted of stalking. Dr. Berger needs to make Heidemarie Schnitzer's capture priority one and coordinate her government's efforts with Mexico's Attorney General, Eduardo Medina Mora pictured above. During Senor Mora's administration 196 fugitives have been handed over for extradition to foreign governments. Mora is on the record stating that he will not allow Mexico to become a refuge for fugitives from justice.

If Schnitzer continues to be ignored and allowed to remain at large, lives hang in the balance. As Dr. Karin Treichl has stated, Schnitzer has the potential for becoming dangerous. And when Schnitzer acts as it is predicted she will, a tragedy is certain. Will Schnitzer end up murdering Caruso, his daughter and Liza Marquez as she has threatened or will one or more Mexican citizens end up losing their lives?

It's up to Dr. Maria Berger and Senor Eduardo Medina Mora to insure that this does not happen.