GP: Serious failures before murder of teacher in Gelnica
The Prosecutor's Office found that the preliminary proceedings against the victim's husband contained serious shortcomings. The act should have been classified as abuse, not as threats.
GP: Serious failures before murder of teacher in Gelnica
After reviewing the case file, Maroš Žilinka concluded that the process which resulted in a criminal order against the murdered woman's husband contained fundamental shortcomings and was not in line with legal regulations. This was stated by TA3.
Tomáš V. received eight months suspended for fifteen months from a court in Spišská Nová Ves for dangerous threats. According to Žilinka, however, at the time the criminal report was filed, circumstances were already known which justified prosecution for a more serious offence – abuse of a close person. The incorrect assessment of the facts also affected the manner of evidence gathering, which was not focused on key aspects.
The victim described in her first interrogation years of suffering. She spoke of psychological pressure, destroyed property, attacks on her daughter, the addition of foreign substances to food and drink, as well as beatings and bruises. She also handed over a burnt document which she carried in her bag in case her husband killed her.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, her testimony was not conducted properly. The questioning police officer did not allow her to speak freely and asked questions in a way that disadvantaged the victim. There were no interrogations of other witnesses or expert assessments.
The difference in criminal penalties is significant. Threatening carries a sentence of six months to three years, abuse three to eight years. For long-term offences against multiple persons, the sentence increases to seven to fifteen years.
The Justice Ministry agrees with the findings and its preliminary review points to errors at all levels of proceedings. However, the police defend their procedure and claim they acted in accordance with the law. They point out that oversight of the investigation falls to the prosecutor, who may change the legal classification.
Opposition parties are calling for the resignation of representatives from the interior and justice ministries. SaS announced a draft amendment to legislation for better protection of domestic violence victims.
Source: TA3
Source: Google News SK — Crime (sk)