Commotion at Sebastian M.'s trial in Piotrków – defence counsel leaves courtroom
At a hearing at the District Court in Piotrków Trybunalski, a commotion broke out – an observer shouted at the judge, and the new defence counsel had to leave the courtroom.
Chaos in the courtroom: observer versus judge, lawyer without authorisation
According to wiadomosci.gazeta.pl, on Monday, 21 September, another hearing in the case of Sebastian M. took place before the District Court in Piotrków Trybunalski. The proceedings were disrupted by two incidents – one formal, one dramatic.
Mec. Marcin Jakubowski joined the group of defence counsel for the accused. However, journalists at o2.pl established that the lawyer had been employed as a legal adviser at Grupa Azoty Police for the past two years and formally remains an employee of that company until the end of September. Polish law prohibits simultaneously holding paid employment and defending a client in court. Prosecutor Izabela Knapik drew attention to this irregularity.
When asked by the court about his employment, mec. Jakubowski initially avoided answering. He ultimately confirmed the portal's findings and stated: "Yes, that is true. I have no choice but to leave the courtroom." After these words, he left the courtroom.
During the proceedings, another incident occurred. One of the observers of the trial began loudly denying the expert witnesses' testimony, shouting that "this trial is a farce". Judge Renata Folkman attempted to silence him, but to no avail. The man shot back: "Please, your honour! Now I am speaking." He left the courtroom only when he noticed that police officers were preparing to intervene.
The observer questioned the interpretation of Sebastian M.'s driving parameters adopted by the expert witnesses. They claimed that the accused was travelling at a speed sufficient to cause tyre overheating, which was said to have affected the vehicle's stability. The experts also indicated that the BMW struck a Kia vehicle, resulting in the death of three people.
The tragic accident occurred on 16 September 2023 near the town of Sierosław in Piotrków County. A BMW collided with a vehicle in which a married couple and their five-year-old child were travelling – all three died. Shortly after the accident, Sebastian M. travelled to Germany, and then to the United Arab Emirates. He was brought back to Poland in May 2025 by means of extradition.
Source: Google News PL