A transgender nurse, identified as a 24-year-old biological male from Slovakia who goes by “Paul” and identifies as a woman, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of an 82-year-old paralyzed patient in Austria. Throughout the court proceedings, Paul was referred to as female but legally remains male, resulting in placement in a men’s jail. However, the possibility of changing gender markers on official documents could lead to housing alongside biological women.
During the trial, psychiatric expert Adelheid Kastner recommended Paul’s admission to a forensic psychiatric center, citing a high likelihood of reoffending. This recommendation, along with others, led to a unanimous guilty verdict from the jury, with sentencing taking place on March 26. The incident occurred on October 5 in Geretsberg, Austria, where Paul provided on-call care for the elderly victim in his home.
Transgender Nurse Sentenced to 20 Years for Murder of Elderly Patient in Austria (Credits: Reddit)
Reportedly, the victim made jokes about Paul’s gender identity, provoking a violent response. Paul allegedly stabbed the man eleven times with knives from the kitchen, resulting in his death. Following the incident, Paul contacted the victim’s stepdaughter, who notified the police. Despite initial theories of drug influence or severe mental illness, subsequent analysis at Kepler University Hospital’s psychiatric unit disproved these hypotheses.
This tragic event highlights complex legal and social issues surrounding transgender individuals, including questions of legal identity and access to appropriate care and housing. The case also underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the intersecting factors that contribute to acts of violence, including discrimination and mental health.
