The defendant protested the prison conditions and threw herself on the floor, and the examiners couldn't even tell who was the attacker and who was attacked

In a shocking revelation during the trial of Robert Reder, accused of dismembering his wife, new details have emerged about the tragic circumstances surrounding her death. The trial, ongoing at the County Court in Osijek, has brought forth testimonies from several witnesses, including Martin Pavičić, Ana Stanišić, and Tomislav Penić. These accounts paint a grim picture of a violent and emotionally charged situation that led to the murder of Maja Cvitanović Reder last summer.

According to the prosecution, Reder is alleged to have killed his wife between August 2nd and September 2nd, 2025, in Tenj. The charges stem from deteriorating marital relations, with reports indicating that Maja had previously been abused by Reder and was planning to leave him. It is claimed that after deciding to end their marriage, she became the target of Reder's violent intentions. Prosecutors allege that he stabbed her multiple times with a sharp object, leading to her death. Following this, they claim he proceeded to dismember her body, discarding parts such as both feet, toes, and pieces of skin into a septic tank located in the family home’s courtyard. Some of these remains were later found during investigations, which led to Reder's arrest.

The court proceedings took a private turn when Martin Pavičić’s testimony was closed to the public. This decision came after a motion by prosecutor Davor Petričević, supported by representatives of the victim's family, Reder’s defense attorney Vladimir Burić, and Reder himself. The move aimed to protect the privacy of the victim's personal and family life. As a result, media representatives had to leave the courtroom, similar to the previous day when Maja’s mother testified.

Ana Stanišić, another witness, stated she met Reder only once in her life, during the summer before the incident. She described how she was connected to Reder through Pavičić, who was involved in selling the house in Tenj. Stanišić mentioned that Reder intended to sell the property but eventually did not proceed with the plan. She also noted that she had only one meeting with Reder, where he discussed selling the house and invited her to inspect it.

Tomislav Penić, who knows Reder since 2001, shared insights into the couple's relationship. He recalled an incident in June or July of last year when he accompanied Reder to his home because Maja refused to let him enter without his presence. During this visit, Penić asked Maja whether the rumors about Reder being abusive were true. Maja reportedly confirmed that Reder had grabbed her leg with the door and thrown a pillow at her. Penić suggested that Reder might have been jealous, believing Maja was cheating on him while he was in prison. He added that he had heard similar claims from other witnesses.

Penić further explained that prior to Reder's release from prison in May or June of last year, he used to socialize with him daily. However, after Reder left prison, they rarely saw each other. He also mentioned that Maja had started avoiding Reder, and that he often inquired about her whereabouts and status. Penić recounted that he had seen Maja's foot injuries but could not confirm if they were caused by Reder.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, Sonja Hranjec, currently on trial for the murder of Vedran Gračan, faced a dramatic moment during her court appearance. According to reports, Hranjec protested against the conditions of her detention in the investigation prison, leading her to throw herself onto the floor. Her lawyer had previously requested the termination of her pre-trial detention, but the courts denied the request.

The trial began in early April, and Hranjec initially denied the allegations against her. The indictment, filed in January of this year, accuses her of entering Gračan's room on July 27, 2025, armed with a knife measuring 20 centimeters in blade length and four centimeters in width. Prosecutors allege that she first stabbed him in the front left side of his chest, then in his back, followed by strikes to his left shoulder area and right forearm. She is said to have cut his forehead and left ear. At 13:27, Hranjec called emergency services, claiming that Gračan had attacked her, prompting her to take the knife and stab him.

Expert witnesses were questioned regarding the forensic evidence. However, neither the mechanical examination expert nor the biological trace expert could determine the exact sequence of events during the incident. The mechanical expert noted that damage to Hranjec’s shirt was consistent with a knife wound but could not specify which particular knife was responsible. Similarly, the biological trace expert could not ascertain who initiated the attack or who was the victim based on molecular genetic analysis. Additionally, the age of the biological traces found could not be determined, leaving many questions unanswered.

Witnesses have indicated that the relationship between Hranjec and Gračan was strained, and Hranjec had previously claimed that Gračan attempted to sexually assault her before the murder. These details contribute to the complex narrative unfolding in the courtroom, highlighting the emotional and psychological tensions that preceded the tragic events.