Cellar victim not yet ready to testify against fatherElisabeth Fritzl, the Austrian woman who was locked in a cellar for 24 years, has refused to testify against her father who imprisoned im·pris·on tr.v. im·pris·oned, im·pris·on·ing, im·pris·ons To put in or as if in prison; confine. [Middle English emprisonen, from Old French emprisoner : en- her, saying she is not yet ready to face him. Doctors caring for Fritzl, 42, told the Austrian media she needed more time to prepare for the encounter, which will require her to give evidence against Josef Fritzl, 73, via a video link. While she would not be in the same room as him, she would be able to see him and could also face questioning by her father if he chose to challenge or rebut To defeat, dispute, or remove the effect of the other side's facts or arguments in a particular case or controversy. When a defendant in a lawsuit proves that the plaintiff's allegations are not true, the defendant has thereby rebutted them. TO REBUT. her evidence. The hearing was due to start in a week's time, on Elisabeth's insistence, so her father's trial could begin as soon as possible. It has now been put on hold indefinitely. Doctors will determine when she is fit enough to testify. It is expected that Elisabeth will give evidence from the clinic in Lower Austria Lower Austria, Ger. Niederösterreich, province (1991 pop. 1,480,927), c.7,400 sq mi (19,170 sq km), NE Austria. Vienna, although outside its boundaries, is the seat of the provincial government. where she is being treated along with her six children, all of whom were fathered by Fritzl during her incarceration Confinement in a jail or prison; imprisonment. Police officers and other law enforcement officers are authorized by federal, state, and local lawmakers to arrest and confine persons suspected of crimes. The judicial system is authorized to confine persons convicted of crimes. . Doctors will be on hand to ensure she takes adequate breaks and that she is not overwhelmed o·ver·whelm tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms 1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline. 2. a. by the encounter, which will be the first since the kidnapping kidnapping, in law, the taking away of a person by force, threat, or deceit, with intent to cause him to be detained against his will. Kidnapping may be done for ransom or for political or other purposes. ordeal ended two months ago. Her mother Rosemarie, who denies knowledge of her husband's double life, is due to give evidence at the same time. "A video recording of it will be shown at the main trial, because the victims will not be required to appear in person to give evidence," said Franz Cutka, a spokesman for the court in St Pölten, where the trial is due to start at the end of the year. 
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