18 years' imprisonment recommended for university student who killed mother
The 25-year-old L. Csaba fatally stabbed his mother with 37 knife wounds in Budapest in 2023 whilst under the influence of narcotics. The appellate prosecutor's office has recommended upholding the final court judgment.
18 years' imprisonment recommended for university student who killed mother
The Budapest Metropolitan Appellate Prosecutor's Office has recommended that the court of second instance confirm the decision to sentence a 25-year-old man to 18 years' imprisonment. In the summer of 2023, under the influence of narcotics, the defendant stabbed his mother 37 times in the family home on Fertály Street in the capital.
The young man lived in the flat with his parents and two older siblings. He frequently used illegal substances, and when he did, he heard voices and became verbally aggressive towards his family members. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a short period, but did not take the prescribed medication regularly.
On the tragic night, he arrived home from the Sziget Festival, where, according to expert opinions, he had consumed cocaine, amphetamine and alcohol. The imaginary voices urged him to harm himself or one of his relatives. He went upstairs and entered one of his brothers' rooms, but his brother was awake. He then returned to his own room and cut his own neck with a knife. Later, he entered his mother's bedroom and attacked the woman resting there.
During the attack, the woman sustained a total of thirty-seven stab wounds and cuts to her face, shoulder and neck. She tried to defend herself and called for help. His siblings managed to stop the young man, and his father called an ambulance. However, the mother was so seriously injured that she died at the scene.
During the first-instance proceedings, the defendant claimed that he still hears voices that mock him. In his testimony, he said he never wanted to do this and was unable to understand why it happened. "If only I could undo it. I have always loved and protected my mother" – was heard in court, as reported in 24.hu.
The first-instance court sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment for manslaughter, disqualified him from public office for ten years, and ordered him to pay court costs of two million forint. The prosecutor accepted the decision, but the defendant and his lawyer appealed for a lighter sentence. The appellate prosecutor's office is now requesting that the severe punishment be upheld as final. The man remains in custody whilst the higher court concludes the case.
Source: 24.hu