Contradictory accounts of the crime before Zurich District Court
Published: Friday, Dec 15th 2023, 12:30
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The Zurich District Court heard on Friday about a fatal altercation between two men on March 3, 2022 in Zurich Altstetten. The prosecution and defense described completely contradictory events. The verdict will be delivered in the late afternoon.
It was undisputed that there had been an altercation and that one of the two people involved, a 58-year-old man, died six days later as a result of his injuries. The now 39-year-old defendant is charged with intentional homicide. He is currently serving an early sentence.
The public prosecutor demanded a 15-year prison sentence. In addition, the Iranian, who came to Switzerland as a small child, should be deported from the country for 15 years.
According to the prosecutor, he had attacked his friend because he was rolling a joint too slowly. He hit him in the head and upper body with a wooden club and his fists and continued to kick the man lying on the ground. The man suffered fractures and brain injuries, among other things. Swelling of the brain led to his death in hospital.
The public prosecutor relied, among other things, on statements made by the injured man to the police. Neighbors had called them when they heard noise and cries for help from the man.
"Accused was attacked"
The defense lawyer described the events quite differently. His client had been attacked by the older man and had defended himself in self-defense. He had admitted that he had struck with his fists, but denied having struck with clubs or kicks. The brain haemorrhage had been facilitated by blood thinners that the injured party had to take.
The defendant himself admits that he overreacted. He should therefore be sentenced to a mild prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter. The defense lawyer said that there should be no expulsion from the country. It would be "an absolute trauma" for his client.
The prosecution and defense agreed that outpatient therapy should be ordered. According to the psychiatric report, the man suffers from a personality disorder with schizoid, dissocial and paranoid elements. He was also addicted to alcohol and drugs.
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