Verdict expected in Fritzl's murder and incest trial

St Poelten (Austria), March 19 (DPA) The trial of Josef Fritzl, accused of raping and imprisoning his daughter Elisabeth for 24 years in the cellar of his home in the Austrian town of Amstetten, entered its final stage Thursday.

The prosecution and defence are due to give their closing addresses to the jury Thursday morning, after a surprise change in his plea by Fritzl Wednesday. A verdict is expected by the end of the day.

Fritzl unexpectedly admitted his guilt on all charges on Wednesday, including the murder of an infant who died in the cellar shortly after birth, and the charge of slavery relating to the conditions in which he held his daughter in the cramped, windowless dungeon.

In Austria murder carries lifelong imprisonment, while slavery carries 20 years. An expert psychologist recommended to the court that Fritzl should be admitted indefinitely to a facility for abnormal offenders at the end of his sentence.