Murderess from Žďár nad Sázavou Barbora O. released from detention after 11 years
Barbora O., who stabbed student Petr Vejvoda (†16) in 2014, has left secure detention after eleven years. A court-appointed expert told Blesk.cz that the likelihood of the act being repeated is not probable.
Barbora O. released from detention: expert comments on recidivism risk
Barbora O., who on 14 October 2014 entered a secondary school in Žďár nad Sázavou and stabbed sixteen-year-old student Petr Vejvoda, has left secure detention after eleven years. According to a court-appointed expert who recommended her release, speaking to Blesk.cz, the woman is to continue psychiatric treatment in hospital.
In her statement, the expert emphasised that an act committed as a consequence of mental illness cannot be assessed in the same way as the conduct of a criminally responsible perpetrator. "Treatment of her mental illness has not been, and very probably will not be, discontinued for life," the expert cautioned. Barbora O. will remain under the supervision of a specialised team focused on protective psychiatric treatment.
Regarding the risk of a similar attack being repeated, the expert described it as unlikely. At the same time, she added a personal statement: "However, this does not diminish my deep sympathy, regret and solidarity with the parents of the boy."
Criminal prosecution of Barbora O. was discontinued following the attack, as experts at that time concluded that she had acted under the influence of serious mental illness and was not criminally responsible. The court imposed a protective measure in place of punishment, and the woman entered secure detention.
Petr Vejvoda died a hero — on that fateful day he stood up for a classmate whom the attacker was threatening with a knife. He paid for it with his life. The case now reignites strong emotions, particularly in connection with the painful reaction of the family of the murdered boy.
Source: Blesk.cz