Zurich: Trial of 26-year-old in connection with two drug-related deaths postponed
A man must answer to court for allegedly failing to provide assistance at two deaths related to drug use. The first hearing did not take place as the accused did not appear.
Zurich: Trial of 26-year-old in connection with two drug-related deaths postponed
The scheduled hearing before Zurich District Court on Thursday morning had to be cancelled as the accused failed to appear. Despite personal service of the summons, the 26-year-old was absent from the proceedings. His legal representative stated he did not know the man's whereabouts. The court set the date for a later time and indicated that the accused could be brought before the court by police at the next hearing.
The prosecution accuses the man of failing to provide emergency assistance. He is alleged to have been present at two deaths connected with drug use. One of the victims was a minor, just 15 years old. According to the charges, the accused himself consumed intoxicating substances in at least one of the cases.
Rather than immediately calling emergency services or police, he is alleged to have first asked acquaintances for advice when the affected persons became increasingly unwell. Subsequently, according to the charge documents, he dragged the deceased into a stairwell and afterwards denied any involvement. Only after several hours did he inform authorities or carers about the incidents.
One of the deaths occurred in a room of a social accommodation facility. The accused, who is registered as a disability insurance recipient without fixed address, is already involved in separate proceedings for robbery offences. Two additional criminal offences are brought against him: Following a brawl, he is alleged to have punched an uninvolved bystander who tried to intervene in the face. Additionally, he is accused of taking a friend's mobile phone worth 1,300 francs from a fast-food restaurant.
The prosecution is seeking a sentence of five years imprisonment. Whether the next hearing will be held in camera remains to be decided. The relatives of the deceased, who are acting as supplementary prosecutors, have filed a corresponding application.
Source: Watson
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)