Indictment for murder in Mursko Sredisce: Oršuš killed pregnant woman, seriously wounded sister
The County State Prosecutor's Office in Varaždin has filed an indictment against 40-year-old Josip Oršuš for aggravated assault in Mursko Sredisce. One victim died, another seriously injured.
Varaždin prosecutor files indictment for murder of pregnant Vanessa Oršuš
The County State Prosecutor's Office in Varaždin has filed an indictment against 40-year-old Josip Oršuš for aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder of a female person, according to Večernji list. The attack occurred on 4 December of last year in Mursko Sredisce, when 28-year-old Vanesa Oršuš was fatally injured, and her sister Merima Kalanjoš was seriously wounded.
According to the prosecutor's allegations, Oršuš came to a family house on that day where his former unmarried partner Merima lived with her family. The relationship between them had previously ended, and Merima stated after the tragedy that she had left him due to violent behaviour.
Oršuš contacted Merima claiming he wanted to speak with her and confirm there was no possibility of reconciliation. He also wanted to see their shared children before he was scheduled to report to serve a prison sentence the following day. After a brief trip to the car, he returned to the house armed with a rifle. In the hallway at that moment was Merima's sister Vanesa, who was pregnant. Oršuš opened fire; Merima attempted to protect her sister and was shot in the back. Vanesa tried to flee, but the attacker caught up with her and killed her. Merima managed to help her father get out of the house, but in doing so sustained another gunshot wound to the leg.
After the attack Oršuš fled by car. Police immediately launched an extensive search, and due to proximity to the Slovenian border, Slovenian security services were brought into the operation. He was arrested two days later in the Slovenian town of Bistrica; a rifle, pistol and knife were found on him.
The case attracted additional public attention when it became known that Oršuš had previously been reported for violence towards his former partner and members of her family. At the time of committing the criminal offences, he had multiple reports against him and a final judgment for theft.
Along with the indictment, the County State Prosecutor's Office has also proposed an extension of pre-trial detention. The reasons cited are the danger of repetition of the criminal act, the need for unobstructed conduct of the proceedings, and in particular the serious circumstances of the commission of the crime. The County Court in Varaždin accepted the proposal, so Oršuš remains in pre-trial detention pending the continuation of court proceedings.
Source: Večernji list