Tony Paterson: In the flesh, all I could think of was the banality of evil

Eyewitness

Share
+More
Related Topics

Josef Fritzl is the world's "Incest Monster" and since his arrest nearly a year ago has gained a reputation comparable to one of the nastier Nazi war criminals.

We have read about his unspeakable crimes and pored over the images of him acting the respectable Austrian businessman and barbecue dad. We have had the unflattering police mugshot, scorched on to our minds as Austria's "face of evil", the face for which everyone was straining for a glimpse behind that blue ringbinder in Austria's Sankt Pölten court this week.

So after all that build-up, the Fritzl I finally witnessed in the flesh yesterday was a bit of a let-down. The experience was like something out of the Nuremberg war crimes trial with its images of once arrogant and pompous Nazi leaders looking deflated, defeated and guilty. Inevitably, the phrase "banality of evil" came to mind.

Fritzl had given up all attempts to hide behind his folder but with his hounds-tooth check jacket and diagonally striped "club" tie, he was clearly trying to give the impression of being the Austrian country squire just in town to do some important business. Yet his face told a different story.

It was that of an old man who looked cornered by the reality of the crimes which he had suppressed for decades and crushed by the shame of being exposed. Fritzl was ashen in colour and looked utterly exhausted. When he spoke, his voice was barely audible. He even showed remorse.

His psychiatrist said that for most of his life, Fritzl was so mentally disturbed that he had pushed all of his emotions into the "cellar of his soul". Yesterday the door to that cellar opened – if only by a chink.

The New Suffragettes

Buy the new Independent eBook - £1.99 A celebration of those who risk their lives for women's rights, a century after Emily Wilding Davison's death.

kobo Amazon Kindle

React Now

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

FX Options Front Office Java / C# Developer

£500 - £600 per day: Orgtel: FX Options Front Office Java / C# Developer - Ba...

Project Manager - Front Office - Regulatory IT

£600 - £700 per day: Orgtel: Project Manager - Front Office - Regulatory IT C...

Lighting Design Engineer

£33000 - £35000 Per Annum: The Green Recruitment Company: The Green Recruitmen...

Are you an Primary NQT looking for your first role in Essex?

£21000 - £22000 per annum: Randstad Education Chelmsford: NQTs required now fo...

Day In a Page

Read Next
 

Intervention: too much of it abroad, not enough of it at home

Steve Richards
 

Russell Brand: This ain't no way to treat a news anchor

Sarah Churchwell
Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over
Hannah England: I've got the right times – now to focus on the chess

Hannah England: Keeping Track

I've got the right times – now to focus on the chess